Lambs stay at 535 cent/kg

The lamb trade is stable at factories, with the supply-demand balance resulting in unchanged returns to sheep farmers.

There remains however some variation between factories.

Moyvalley Meats continue to lead the field with an all-in 535 cent/kg (191p/lb). Other processors offer from 525 cent back to 510 cent, plus quality bonus.

At the marts, trade is generally unchanged, with butchers paying up to €78 over for hoggets on Monday, and the best lots selling for up to €77 over.

There were 300 head on offer at Fermoy Mart on Monday, where butchers’ hoggets made €112 to €134/head, or €64 over to €78 over. Factory lots made up to €117, or €72 over.

At Kilkenny Mart on Monday, there were 610 head. Butchers paid up to €126, or from €65 over to €75 over. Factory lots made up to €117, from €55 to €77 over.

The UK trade lifted last week, reflecting tight supplies. By last weekend, prices across Great Britain were at the equivalent of 535 cent/kg (191p/lb).

In France, the trade eased a shade last week, with limited numbers of Irish grade 1 lamb reportedly making up to 530 cent/kg by the end of the week.