Weaker trade after a nervous start this week

AS the trade switches slowly towards the new season lamb, prices have come under pressure at factories this week, with the trade weakening on Tuesday after a nervous start to the week.

The new lamb prices dropped by as much as 14 cents/kg (5p/lb) on Tuesday, while hogget prices lost 6 cents/kg (2p/lb).

Base prices for spring lambs on Monday ranged from 500 back to 495 cents/kg (179p to 177p/lb), but the opening prices for the week were short lived, with Tuesday rates slipping to a range of 386 to 484 cents/kg (174p or 173p/lb), and demand slack.