Another disappointing week for sheep farmers
When factories re-opened on Tuesday, they quoted base prices from 406 to 409 cents/kg (145p or 146p/lb), as the slippage in prices of the second half of last week continued into this week.
Prices quoted by individual processors are back by 12 to 16 cents/kg (4p to 6p/lb) since the start of last week.
At the marts which had sales last Monday, numbers on offer were strong, with prices back a little from last week. There were 800 head on offer at Fermoy Mart, where the entry met with a good trade. Butchers paid €40 to €51 over €1/kg, and factory agents paid €34 to €43 over.
The sheepmeat trade in Britain is continuing strong, with farmers getting the equivalent of 464 cents/kg. The higher cost of lamb to processors in Britain has a beneficial effect for Irish exporters, with less British lamb going to the French market, because it is not competitive.
Nevertheless, the French market is reported to be well supplied. Supplies of Irish lamb are selling there at up to 493 cents/kg, including VAT, delivered to Paris.
It has to compete with stronger than expected supplies from Spain and Portugal.
