Upward trend but skin prices come under pressure

SHEEP prices have turned the corner for the present at least, with the improvement in prices at the factories maintained this week, and returns to producers increasing by up to 11 cents/kg (4p/lb).

In the marts, prices have improved by up to €3 per head, and on the continent, where supplies of competing lamb have been tightening, the trade is holding steady for Irish lamb.

Base prices at the Irish export factories at the start of this week ranged from 353 back to 350 cents/kg (126p to 125p/lb), between 8 cents/kg and 11 cents/kg ahead of last week’s quotes.