Lamb prices maintained
The exception to the pattern is Kildare Chilling, where prices are back 6 cents/kg (2p/lb) from last week, to a base of 344 cents/kg (123p/lb).
Throughput is on a par with the corresponding weeks of last year.
In the marts, where numbers on offer were strong, quality factory lambs gained up to €2/head, with trade similar to last week for other lots, with up to €37 over €1/kg being paid by butchers.
There were 800 head at Fermoy on Monday, where the overall trade was steady. Butchers paid €24 to €7 over, with prices ranging from €74 to €95 per head. Factory lots ranged from €12 to €25 over. There were 1,450 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, where €22 to €35 over was paid for butcher’s lambs, while factory lots sold at €20 to €38 over.
There is some variation on export markets, where prices have strengthened in the UK over the past week, but the trade in France has weakened.
In the UK, prices improved by up to 5 cents/kg (2p/lb) through last week, as the supply eased.
In contrast, prices in France eased back to 370 to 365 cents/kg for top quality Irish lamb delivered in Paris, reflecting weaker consumer demand and a strong supply of UK lamb.
