Strong spring lamb mart trade

Marts: Live sales are outstripping the factories in returns to producers for spring lamb in the countdown to the peak festive season for the new season supply.

Live trade at the marts is yielding up to €59 over €/kg for the top of the lambs on offer in contrast to top quoted factory prices of 481c/kg (172p/lb) plus the usual bonus of 6c/kg for best quality.

The trade has been taken by surprise by a weakening of prices for spring lambs at some factories. At the marts, prices are improving €2-€3/head this week with very strong demand for small quantities of the new season lamb on offer.