Lamb prices break €10/kg as Easter demand tightens supply

Suppliers to the factories for this week are reporting more than €10/kg is now being paid for spring lamb and supplies are low, with the majority of breeders having switched to later lambing over recent years.

The market for lambs has strengthened as the build-up ahead of the Easter celebrations enters countdown, with supplies of new-season lamb very tight.

Suppliers to the factories for this week are reporting more than €10/kg is now being paid for spring lamb and supplies are low, with the majority of breeders having switched to later lambing over recent years.

Higher production costs for early lamb supplies, with concentrate prices having rocketed, and returns failing to match the higher costs, have resulted in the major switch away from breeders targeting the Easter trade.

Most of the processors are quoting about 970c/kg for spring lambs, with up to 20c/kg to be added for quality assurance. Suppliers report returns have broken through the €10/kg barrier in the final run-up to Easter weekend.

Reliance for most of the lamb meat for Easter remains reliant on the hoggets, for which the trade continues very firm and returning an extra 10c/kg this week.

Hoggets are being quoted on a base of 900c/kg, plus the quality bonus. Suppliers report the general run of return is 920-930c/kg this week, with some deals returning up to 940c/kg for the larger regular suppliers to the factories.

Some concessions on the cut-off weight are also being negotiated, with 23.5kg being achieved.

Entries at the live sales at the marts are low, and full clearances are being reported, with butchers' hoggets selling for up to €160 over for the tops, and very few spring lambs on offer.