€5/kg for Christmas dinner lambs

THE upward trend in lamb prices at factories has been maintained this week.

Quotes for this week are up by 5 to 10 cent/kg, as demand for lambs remains strong in the build-up to Christmas, one of the peak periods for consumer demand, along with Easter.

Moyvalley Meats maintained their position as price leaders with an all-in €5/kg.

But there is very little between them and Kildare Chilling for lamb producers who qualify for the top quality bonus payment. Other processors quote between 485 and 480 cent/kg, plus the usual bonus payments for quality.

In the marts, there was a very lively trade for lambs at Monday’s sales, where prices were improved.

There was a small sale of 400 head at Fermoy Mart, where demand was excellent. The butchers’ lambs sold for €110 to €125/head, equivalent to €58 over to €71 over. Factory lamb prices ranged up to €106/head, or €60 over.

There was also a smaller than normal sale at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, with an entry of 770 head. Butchers paid €60 over to €67 over, and factory lambs sold for €58 over to €65 over. Stores made €45 over to €65 over.

The trade in Britain was largely driven over the past week by a lack of supplies. By last weekend, prices were at the equivalent of 546 cent/kg (195p/lb).

In France over the past week, limited volumes of Irish grade 1 lamb were making up to 526 cent/kg by last weekend.