Lamb price hammered by as much as 17 cents/kg

IT’S back to business as normal for 2006 at the sheepmeat processing plants, with lamb prices hammered by as much as 17 cents/kg (6p/lb) over the past week.

Factories quoted base prices of 426 back to 420 cents/kg (152p to 150p/lb) on Monday, which was 15 to 17 cents/kg less than a week earlier. However, some resistance from sellers has resulted in actual paid prices ending up somewhat stronger than the quoted rates.

The price quotes were unchanged Tuesday, ranging from a base of 426 cents/kg at Hacketstown to 420 cents/kg at Navan, and the usual 6 cents/kg added for U grade.

There is a wide variation in quoted prices for hoggets, from 364 cents/kg (130p/lb) back to 336 cents/kg (120p/lb).

There were 1,000 head at Fermoy mart on Monday. Butchers lambs made €44 to €62 over €1/kg, and factory lots sold at €38 to €53 over. At Kilkenny, there were 1,100 head, with butchers lambs making €33 to €51 over, and factory lots ranging from €33 to €56 over.

Prices have continued very strong in Britain, with factories paying the equivalent of 470 cents/kg (168p/lb).

But the price for Irish lamb dropped to a range of 460 to 470 cents/kg, due to quieter demand and plentiful supply.