Processors’ caution on forward prices fuels lamb trade confusion

Some uncertainty continues around the lamb trade at the factories, with the processors more cautious about committing to prices forward even to the end of the week.

Holding their cards very close to their chest, some of the processors are operating on a day-to-day price and not quoting forward, while others are offering quotes varying from a drop of up to 20 cents per kilogramme, to similar to last week rate.

The result of this uncertainty is a price range from 490c/kg, plus the usual bonus payments of up to 10c/kg for quality at the upper end of the scale to an all-in price of 480c/kg at the bottom.