Up to 520 c/kg all in offered for lambs at factories
The quoted prices for this week have been increased by as much as 10 cent/kg, maintaining an upward trend since the beginning of the month.
Moyvalley Meats have moved to the top of the price league with an all-in quote of 520 cent/kg (186p/lb), which has been at least matched by their neighbours at Kildare Chilling when quality bonuses are added to their base of 510 cent/kg. Other processors are hovering between 510 cent/kg and 500 cent/kg, plus quality bonus. A tight supply position is forcing processors to pay 10 to 15 cent/kg over quoted prices to get sufficient lambs this week.
In the marts on Monday, up to €129/head or €75 over was paid for butchers lambs, with the numbers on offer at some of the centres on the low side. There was a small sale of 300 head at Fermoy Mart, for an excellent trade, with prices improved.
The butchers paid €114 to €129/head, equivalent to €68 over to €75 over. The factory lambs sold for up to €119/head, or €73 over.
There were 1,100 head at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, and trade was similar to the previous week. Butchers paid €64 over to €70 over, and the factory agents bought at €62 over to €70 over.
The trade in Britain remained steady over the past week. By last weekend, prices were at the equivalent of 540 cent/kg (193p/lb).
In France, the trade was also reported steady over the past week, with Irish grade 1 lamb reported to be making up to 540 cent/kg for most of the week. In the coming weeks, the emergence of Lacaune lamb should lower dependence on British product on the continent.
