Slight increase in lamb prices

The trade for lambs at the factories has been steadier this week with prices showing a small improvement on last weeks opening prices.

Factory quotes have generally increased by 3-6 cents/kg (1p-2p/lb) as demand picked up slightly with prices in the marts varying from steady to an improvement of up to E3/head on last week. The base prices at the factories ranged 358-347 cents/kg (128p-124p/lb) with supplies having edged slightly ahead of the same weeks last year.

In Britain the trade for lambs continued to improve over the past week with prices ending the week at the equivalent of 376 cents/kg (134p/lb) incl Vat - showing an improvement of 6 cents/kg (2p/lb) - with numbers for the week marginally down. The market in France remained relatively stable and prices increased to 365-370 cents/kg (130p-132p/lb) Incl Vat. There is a change to the pattern of the trade with the holiday season coming to an end in the south of France and the schools preparing to re-open. The demand for lamb has swung back more to the northern regions of the country.