Spring lambs making over €10/kg as demand continues

Spring lambs continue to deliver a reasonable return this year to breeders who stayed with early lambing.

Demand at the factories is aiding continuation of the stable trade for new-season lambs, while hogget prices are coming under slight pressure this week.

While the supply of spring lambs continues to increase week-on-week, up to two-thirds of the intake at the processing plants continues to be supplied by hoggets.

Spring lambs are quoted on a base of 980-990c/kg, which plus the quality bonus returns at least €10/kg, with some suppliers reporting €10.10 to €10.15 being paid this week as processors seek more new-season lambs.

Spring lambs continue to deliver a reasonable return this year to breeders who stayed with early lambing, a practice which thousands of breeders exited over the last decade because of the higher production costs it required and returns from the market which failed to recompense sufficiently.

While still relying on hoggets for most of the intake, the processors have commenced applying some pressure to the quotes. The general range this week is 915-920c/kg plus the quality assurance payment of up to 20c/kg.

Suppliers are reporting that 950c/kg is generally being paid for the hoggets and some have struck deals with the processors for up to 960c/kg for this week.

The general cut-off carcass weight is 23kg, but some suppliers are reporting that up to 23.5kg is negotiable as a deal-maker this week.

Entries at the live sales at the marts remain low, with some ringside interest in supplies for export to Northern Ireland aiding a more competitive market.

Spring lambs are making up to €250-€260, while the continued demand for hoggets is keeping a firm floor under the trade at up to €190.