Farmers offered 128p/lb for lamb
Prices dropped by 5 to 8 cents/kg (2p or 3p/lb) for the opening of the trade on Monday compared to the same day last week, with factories quoting base prices of 355 or 354 cents/kg (126p/lb), plus the usual bonus of 6 cents/kg (2p/lb) for quality.
In the marts, the trade was also generally tougher at the opening sales this week.
At Corrin, Fermoy, on Monday, 900 head were on offer. Butchers lambs ranged from €74 to 89 per head, equivalent to €22 over to 38 over. Factory lambs made €32 to 76 per head, or €18 over to 31 over. There was a tougher trade for all lambs at Kilkenny Mart, where there was an entry of 1,000 head. Butchers paid €28 over to 37 over, and factory lots sold for €22 over to 31 over.
Trade on the continent has come through a difficult week, with strong supplies putting pressure on prices.
In France, the market was affected by strong supply of very competitively priced British lamb, and sluggish consumer demand.
Irish grade one lamb was selling at 380 to 390 cents/kg, delivered to Paris, back 10 to 20 cents.
In Britain, the supply coming to the market dropped by up to 20% through the week, and gains towards the end of the week brought prices to the equivalent of 352 cents per kg, including VAT.
