Increased UK supply has ripple effect in Ireland

LAMB prices have come under pressure again this week as stronger supplies to the French market led to a weakening of returns to exporters.

The trade for lambs weakened through the second half of last week with the trend continuing into the early days of this week, when the base prices ranged from 336 to 353 cent/kg (120p to 126p/lb).

Farmers have been reluctant to accept the lower price quotes and have been bargaining hard to get somewhere in the middle of the range, even holding back their lambs to secure a recovery in price, often a very effective tactic for them.