Lamb price steadier
Any gains are limited to around 2 cents/kg at a couple of the plants, while prices at the majority of the factories are unchanged from last week. Base prices opened for the week at 372-370 cents/kg (133p-132p/lb) with the prices holding at a similar range for Tuesday as the market in Britain improved as supplies tightened.
By the end of the week the lambs were making the equivalent of 401 cents/kg (143p/lb), including VAT. The numbers tightened considerably during the early days of the week before showing an increase again towards the end of the week.
The weekly throughput at the factories is down between 10% and 14% on the same week last year. In France the trade is reported to be slow, with the market well supplied from Britain at very competitive prices. The top grade Irish lamb delivered to Paris is selling around 390-400 cents/kg. At the marts there was over 650 head on offer at Fermoy on Monday where they met with an improved trade. Butcher’s lambs sold for €80/head to €95/head, equivalent to €30 over to €40 over €/kg. The factory lots made €59-€77 per head, or €22 over to €34 over. with the store lambs selling in the same range.
There were 800 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Monday where trade was better than the previous week, prices gaining up to €4/head. Butcher’s lamb ranged €31 over to €41 over. Factory lots made €26 over to €42 over. Store lambs sold for €21 over to €25 over.
