Processors offer no lamb price guarantees
The factories’ opening base price quotes this week ranged from 350 back to 342 cents/kg (125 to 122p/lb) on Monday, with some factories at the lower end of the price scale adding a few cents for Tuesday’s kill.
At the same time, processors are saying that the markets are not exciting, and are warning that downward price pressure may be just around the corner. Therefore, there is no price guarantee, going forward.
Supplies are also very strong presently, the weekly throughput running at about 20% more than the same time last year, which is not helping price-wise.
In Britain, after a strong start, prices weakened through mid-week before recovering at the end of the week to close at the equivalent of 353 cents/kg (126p/lb) including VAT. Supplies to the market were broadly similar to the previous week.
In France, the trade has been reported as quiet, with supplies being held back because of weaker demand. Prices have been averaging 340 cents/kg (121p/lb), with better quality making up to 350 cents/kg (125p/lb).
Here in Ireland, in the marts, supplies have also been strong, but prices have improved by up to €3/head. There were 800 head at Fermoy on Monday, where the butchers lambs made €22 to €33 over €1/kg, and factory lots sold for €16 to €23 over.
There were nearly 2,600 head at Kilkenny Mart, where the butchers lambs were €3/head dearer, at €30 to €35 over €1/kg, and factory lambs made €21 to €25 over.
There was good demand for a large entry at Athenry Mart on Monday, where up to €33 over was paid for the butcher’s lambs.
