Spring lamb prices down 20c/kg but up to 880c/kg being paid

Processors are blaming weaker export markets for the lamb price decline, which has wiped a sizeable amount off the returns to producers over the past month of negative trends.

The trade for lambs continues under pressure at the factories this week, where prices have been reduced by a further 20c/kg.

There is more variation between the factories on price for this week's supply, and some of the processors are more tight-lipped on their quotes as they assess the market trend forward for the coming week.

The processors are blaming weaker export markets for the lamb price decline, which has wiped a sizeable amount off the returns to producers over the past month of negative trends.

The base prices on offer are generally ranging from 850–865c/kg, with the bonus for quality assurance to be added — worth 10–20c/kg.

The positive side of the current trade is that processors continue to be interested in getting decent numbers for which they have market demand, and suppliers are reporting that up to 880c/kg is fairly readily being paid for lambs this week.

The changeover from hoggets to spring lamb is nearing completion. There is still a trickle of heavy hoggets around, and they are generally being priced at 700–720c/kg for up to 23kg.

The full impact of the factory cuts has not been reflected at the live sales at the marts, where the prices have eased a share, but not in the same ratio as the factory cuts.

Numbers on offer are light and good clearances are being effected.

There was a top price of €228 for spring lambs at Corrin Mart on Monday, where a pen of 10 butchers' lambs weighing 57kg led the trade.

A pen of nine weighing 52kg made €224, while four at 55kg sold for €214 and three weighing 52kg made €210.