Processors very cautious

THERE is very little change in lamb prices, but any slight adjustment has been downwards from last week.

The lamb supply to factories remains tight, but the supply in Britain is building, and increasing British exports to France have intensified competition for Irish exporters.

Here, processors seem a little unsure which way the trade is moving, and are acting very cautiously by not quoting forward for more than a day.

On Monday, they quoted a base range of 352 to 350 cents/kg (126 or 125p/lb). Dawn at Hacketstown increased prices by 2 cents/kg Tuesday, leading the market with a base of 355 cents/kg.

In the marts, there were 800 head at Fermoy on Monday, where the trade was reported to have steadied. Butchers lambs sold for €26 to €33 over, and factory lots made €14 to €24 over.

In Britain, the trade has been returning to normal after foot and mouth. Slaughtering and exports have fully resumed, and prices have eased. By the end of last week, lambs made the equivalent of 320 cent/kg (114p/lb) including VAT, and exports had increased. In France, British lamb sells at a very competitive 370 to 380 cent/kg. Irish lamb continued to trade at 380 to 400 cents/kg at the weekend.