Lamb supply down 20% this year but price trend steady after recent turmoil
The trade opened on Monday at the factories with prices on a par with last week, at a base of 465 to 460 cents/kg (166 to 164p/lb) on offer, plus the usual 6 cents/kg (2p/lb) quality bonus.
The supply of lambs has tightened and is down 20% compared to the same time last year, but processors do not seem hugely interested in buying lambs. Intake at the factories has dropped below 35,000 head per week.
In the marts the trade has steadied with prices showing very little change and demand firm for both Spring lambs and hoggets.
There was 500 head on offer at the Fermoy Mart sheep sale on Monday.
Trade was reported to be very strong for the spring lambs, which made €88 to 124 per head, equivalent to €53 to 72 over.
The factory hoggets made up to €90 per head, or €14 over to 42 over.
There was 750 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart, where the trade was unchanged. New season lambs ranged from €42 to 55 over, and the hoggets from €28 to 42 over.
In Britain, the trade for hoggets has eased over the past week, with prices coming back to the equivalent of 369 cents/kg including VAT (132p/lb).
The number of spring lambs coming to the market in Britain has increased considerably, as a result of which prices have eased.
The spring lambs are selling at the equivalent of 492 cents/kg including VAT (176p/lb).
In France, demand is reported to be slow, with Irish lamb available in low volumes. The Irish spring lamb is reported to be selling in the region of 480 to 500 cents/kg, with the lamb from Britain on the market in the same price range.
