Tight supplies continue to underpin lamb prices

Suppliers report that the factories are interested in supply and that supply and demand are well balanced at present.

There is no change in the lamb trade at the factories this week, with tight supply underpinning the prices on offer to suppliers.

In general, processors continue to quote lambs at a base of 880c/kg plus the quality bonus, bringing the producer return to 900c/kg at most factories.

Suppliers report that the factories are interested in supply and that supply and demand are well balanced at present.

Regular suppliers are reporting that they are getting 910c/kg and, in some deals, up to 920c/kg.

The changeover to new-season lamb is now nearing the end of the season, and remaining hoggets are being quoted at 780c/kg plus the quality bonus.

Mart entries increase There has been a large increase in entries at some of the live sales at the marts this week, where prices continue to hold firm.

Kilkenny Mart on Monday had 780 head on offer – almost double the entry for the previous week – and a top price of €249 was paid for a pen of butcher’s lambs weighing 70kg.

The trade held remarkably firm, with interest being created by wholesalers and factory agents.

The quality of the lambs being offered for sale was described as “excellent”, with clearance marginally shy of 100%.

A lot of 10 butcher’s lambs weighing 54kg sold for €225, while another pen of 10 weighing 53kg sold for €224, and a lot of four weighing 53kg made €222. The factory-type lambs sold for up to €146 over.

There was also a larger offering at Corrin Mart on Monday, where the top price was €232 for a pen of butcher’s lambs weighing 52kg. Another pen weighing 52kg made €228, and a lot weighing 53kg sold for €224.