British lamb production up
Latest forecast for British production show that output for this year will be up by 4%, but a drop in the ewe flock is expected to result in a fall of 2% for 2006, based on the lower national flock according to the June survey findings. The survey showed that the breeding flock was back by 5%, and together with the lower retention of ewe lambs is expected to limit availability next year.
On the market, consumption of sheep meat in Britain is forecast to be marginally down for 2005, based on declines in purchases for the first and second quarters. According to the Meat and Livestock Commission sales of sheep meat were almost 3% lower during the third quarter alone. The growth sector is now lamb based chilled ready meals, demand for which is showing an increase of nine per cent for the third quarter, reflecting the changing pattern of consumer buying arising from more modern life style patterns.
The stronger supply from domestic production in Britain has resulted in a lower import requirement for the year. For the first eight months of this year imports were down by 10,000 tonnes, after production showed an increase of 9,000 tonnes over the first three quarters of the year. Sheep meat imports from New Zealand have been hit by a reduction of 8% this year.
Total Irish sheep meat production for the year is showing an increase of just over 1%. Lamb supplies are down by almost 1%, while cast ewe supplies are 15% higher than last year. Lamb supplies to the export plants to the end of October were 2.3 million out of a total throughput of 23.7m head.
