Up to €44 over for mart hoggets
The trade opened on Monday with the base price at factories ranging from 344 back to 341 cents/kg (123p or 122p/lb), levelling off to 344 cents/kg at the reduced number of plants operating on Tuesday.
In the marts, there was an improved trade, with increased prices reported from all sales on Monday.
In Britain, the trade for old season stock improved over the past week, with prices increased by around €3.50/head at live sales. At factories, farmers were getting 337 cents/kg. The increase in price in Britain is expected to slightly reduce the volume of lamb going to France, where the market remains stable, with sufficient supply to meet the present level of demand. Quality Irish lamb is reported to be making around 370 cents/kg delivered in France. The supply of new season Lacaune lamb is continuing to build up.
Entries were lower at Irish mart sales in recent days. There was an improved trade for 400 head at Fermoy on Monday, where butchers hoggets ranged from €24 to €44 over €1/kg. Prices for factory lots ranged from €12 to €28 over €1/kg.
There were 750 head at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, where factory hoggets were up to €4/head dearer. Prices ranged from €21 to €36 over for butcher’s hoggets, €18 to €39 over for factory hoggets.
