Steadier tone to lamb trade
Most processors quote similar prices to last week. The top price of 435 cents/kg (155p/lb) plus quality bonus is offered at Kepak, Hacketstown. Most processors are on 430 cents/kg (153p/lb) plus bonus, with the exception of Moyvalley Meats, where the quote is for an all-in price of 430 cents/kg.
A steady trade was reported at the opening sales of this week, with much increased numbers of lambs on offer.
There was a larger sale of 900 head at Fermoy Mart on Monday, where the trade was steady. Butchers paid €90 to €104 per head, equivalent to €36 over to €51 over. Factory lots sold for €62 to €84 per head, or €30 over to €41 over.
At Kilkenny Mart on Monday, there was also a large sale of 1,400 head. Trade was steady at €45 to 56 over for the butchers lambs, and €42 over to €48 over for the factory lots.
It appears that supplies are not over-plentiful And some of the factories are anxious to get lambs, which should benefit sellers trying to negotiate above the quoted prices.
In Britain, the supply of lambs eased during last week, and there was some downward movement in prices being paid. However the average price in euro terms was back by just 4 c/kg this week, to 451 c/kg (161p/lb) including VAT.
In France, quotes for Grade 1 Irish spring lamb delivered to Paris eased and finished up the week making 445 to 450 c/kg (159p to 161p/lb) including VAT. However, demand is expected to pick up over the coming weeks, as the Ramadan period comes to an end for France’s five million Muslims.
