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.