Mart lambs gain €4 per head in better trade
Factory quotes were stronger by 5 cents/kg (2p/lb) at the upper end of the market, although not all processors had moved up to that level.
The opening range on Monday, at 355 to 360 cents/kg (127p to 129p/lb) was unchanged for Tuesday’s kill. In the marts, the trade was reported to be much stronger on Monday, with better interest from buyers and price gains of up to €4 per head for lambs.
There were 600 head on offer at Fermoy on Monday. Trade was much stronger than the previous week. Butcher’s lambs made €78 to €96 per head, equivalent to €28 to 43 over. The factory lots ranged from €45 to 73 per head, or €14 to 27 over.
Prices were stronger by up to €4 per head at Kilkenny, for 800 head on offer. Butchers lambs ranged from €30 to 40 over, and factory lambs sold for €22 to 34 over.
Lower intake at the factories — which is down by one third compared to this time last year — and an improved continental trade, have combined to deliver stronger prices. Despite strong supplies coming to the market in Britain, the trade has stabilised, with returns to farmers equivalent to 352 cent per kg including VAT.
Consumer demand has improved in France which, together with the ending of the Ramadan festival, has combined to give the market an uplift. The Grade 1 Irish lamb has been selling at 400 to 410 cents per kg, an increase of 20 cents.
