British lamb supply set to rise

Britain: A higher output of lambs has been predicted for Britain in 2005, following an increase in the crop of lambs for the year and a higher survival rate.

Latest figures from the Meat and Livestock Commission in Britain suggest that most of the additional lambs will not come to market until the final quarter of the year, when the throughput is expected to be 7% higher than last year adding about 290,000 extra lambs to the supply.

Bord Bia reports that lamb supplies for the first half of the year were 4% higher with an additional 220,000 head. Average weights were also higher than last year.