Strong home market helps to boost prices past 4/kg

THERE was a slight improvement in hogget prices at the factories this week and prices in the marts were either steady or improved

Factory prices edged over 4/kg this week, with base prices of up to 403 cent/kg (144p/lb) being quoted on Monday, which is a few cents per kg ahead of last week, and closely in line with the trade in Britain at the end of last week. The supply situation remained tight in Britain last week and together with steady demand, this helped to maintain prices, which by the end of the week, were on 405 cent/kg (including VAT) equivalent. The market in France was well supplied last week and Irish lambs were selling on the Rungis market at 400 cents/kg.

There are some signs that more French lamb has started to appear on the market, and prices are coming under some pressure.