Tight supply keeps lamb returns steady around 780c/kg

The quoted prices are constant at 760–765c/kg, plus the quality bonus adding 10–20c/kg depending on the individual factory for qualifying lambs, giving a general return of 780c/kg for most suppliers.

The steady trade over recent weeks for lambs at the factories is continuing to return stable prices to producers this week.

There is a shade more confidence in the trade forward remaining in a positive mode for the weeks ahead, with the lamb price on some of the continental markets well ahead of the Irish base price and home supplies of factory-ready lambs expected to remain tight through to the end of the year.

The quoted prices are constant at 760–765c/kg, plus the quality bonus adding 10–20c/kg depending on the individual factory for qualifying lambs, giving a general return of 780c/kg for most suppliers.

Supply relative to demand at the processors remains tight, and those with larger numbers to offer are reported to be securing deals at the factories for a return of 785–790c/kg this week.

The entries for live sales at the marts have also eased back from their short-lived seasonal peak, and trade for butcher and factory-type lambs continued steady for the opening sales this week.

There were 520 head on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, where prices for butcher lots peaked at €140 over, with a lot of 12 weighing 56kg selling for €196.

A pen of five weighing 55kg made €193, while a pen of 10 weighing 53kg sold for €192, and a lot of 10 weighing 52kg made €177.

The factory-type lots sold for up to €124 over, with the top sale of the day a lot of 18 weighing 48kg making €172.