Competition in France reflected in prices

LAMB prices have regained a few more cent at the factories this week, but are disappointing, overall.

In the marts, prices have eased back, and the heavier lambs have become more difficult to sell.

On the continent, after a promising start, prices eased back through the week, putting pressure on Irish exporters.

Prices at factories here opened for the week ranging from 344 to 350 cent/kg (123p to 125p/lb).

Prices strengthened a few cent at some of the factories Tuesday, but the price range was unchanged.

Supplies to factories have slipped back, and are in line with the corresponding weeks of last year.

In Britain, the supply of lamb increased during the week and prices eased back, finishing the week at the equivalent of 355 cent/kg (127p/lb).

In France, there was a good start to the week’s trading on the back of tighter supplies, but as the supply increased, the price came under more pressure, and prices slipped, to range from 350 to 360 cent/kg.

The supply of French-produced lamb is continuing to increase, and legs of lamb from New Zealand are providing intense competition for the Irish exporters.

In the marts here, the trade continued strong at Fermoy on Monday where the butchers’ lambs made €24 to €36 over €1/kg, and factory lambs made €18 to €27 over.

There were more than 1,600 head on offer at Kilkenny on Monday.

All lamb prices were back €1 per head, and the heavy lambs over 50kg proved difficult to sell.

Butchers lambs made €24 to €30 over €1/kgm and factory lots sold at €24 to €27 over.