Recent recovery in lamb prices didn’t last long
The factory quotes for the week are down by between 6 and 14 cents/kg (2 to 5p/lb), reversing a recent recovery in prices — a disappointing turn to the trade for sheep farmers.
Base prices at the factories for this week were quoted at 365 to 360 cents/kg (130 to 128p/lb). The weekly supply of lambs to the factories is nearly 20% down on the same time last year, and year to date throughput of lambs is running at 13% less than 2006.
In the marts, the trade was reported steady, with up to €44 over being paid for quality lambs, but the more general run was up to €33 over.
This week, a steady trade was reported at Fermoy Mart on Monday. Butchers lambs sold for €30 over to €44 over. Factory lots made €18 over to €33 over. Cast ewes ranged from €15/head to €60/head.
There was a bigger sale, of 950 head, at Kilkenny Mart on Monday. The butchers lambs sold for €23 over to €32 over. Factory lots made €23 over to €33 over, and cast ewes sold for €30 to €64/head.
In Britain, lamb prices remained steady over the past week, selling for the equivalent of 395 cents/kg (including VAT). The supply on the market increased during the early days of the week before stabilising towards the end of the week.
In France, there was an increase in the supply of Irish and UK lamb on the market, and with demand slowing down, there was downward pressure on prices through the week. The best of the Irish lamb delivered Paris was reported to be selling at 395 to 400 cents/kg.
