Lamb price hopes depend on Board Bia

The lamb trade has retained the gains of the past two weeks, without any further improvement in price paid by processors this week.

Much reliance is now being placed on Bord Bia promotions for lamb in France to give the market a boost, and the first signs of a lift in demand appeared over the week-end.

Processors this week quoted base prices ranging from 378 to 384 cents/kg (135p to 137p/lb).

However stronger demand at the mart sales this week, which delivered a price increase of up to €7 per head, may be a hopeful sign for the days ahead.

A large sale of 800 head at Fermoy Mart on Monday met with a strong trade.

The butchers lambs sold for €78 to 90 per head, or €30 to 36 over €1 per kg. Factory lots made €60 to 80 per head, or €25 to 34 over.

Supplies on offer were lower at Kilkenny Mart, where there was a lively trade for the 650 head on offer, with prices improved by up to €7 per head.

The butchers lambs made €30 to 40 over, and the factory agents paid €30 to 41 over.

Prices in the UK came under pressure last week after larger supplies came to market, resulting in an easing in prices to the equivalent of 402 cents/kg (143p/lb). This was influenced by a slower trade in France on the back of the larger supplies on the market in Britain.

A combination of poor weather conditions and strong supplies on the market has dulled the trade in France.

Bord Bia promotions for Irish lamb are now running in France and as they continue to build up at retail level, it is helping to clear supplies on the market.

By the end of last week, top grade Irish lamb was reported to be selling for up to 410 cents per kg.