Spring lamb trade steadies as prices lift to €8.80/kg

The changeover from hoggets to spring lamb is well advanced, but the weekly increase in the new-season lambs has slowed down, leaving some reliance remaining on the hoggets to meet the factory requirements

The general run of prices for the hoggets is about 720c/kg, while regular suppliers are reporting they are getting up to 750c/kg, and there is still interest from the factories in getting some hoggets.

There is a steadier tone to the lamb trade at the factories for this week in a welcome change for suppliers under pressure for the last month.

Base prices on offer for the lambs are ranging 845–860c/kg, with the bonus for quality assurance to be added, and the regular suppliers reporting up to 880c/kg is being paid for good lambs this week, with demand in a positive mode at the processors.