Processors price lambs day by day as market nervousness grows

The market demand and stronger supply have combined to put pressure on the prices being returned both at the factories and some of the live sales. File picture

An increased supply of lambs coming to the market has added to the downward pressure on prices at the factories, where there has been a sharp decline in quotes for the second consecutive week.

The factory quotes for lambs have been reduced by 20-30c/kg, with some of the processors not offering any quotes for lambs this week and pricing day by day, which usually indicates nervousness about market returns going forward.

The general run of the trade for the week is a base of 800-820c/kg for the spring lambs, plus the quality bonus of 10-20c/kg.

The processors are advising that the market for lamb has weakened and competing supplies are adding to the pressure on the export trade.

On the home ground, the drought over the past two months is now severely impacting on grass growth on farms and sheep farmers under pressure are bringing stronger supplies to market, both at the factories and the live sales at the marts over recent weeks.

The market demand and stronger supply have combined to put pressure on the prices being returned both at the factories and some of the live sales.

There was a large increase in the entry at Corrin Mart on Monday, where the trade held up well for the larger throughput at the sale.

The top price was €204 for three butchers’ lambs weighing 56kg. A lot of eleven weighing 50kg sold for €200, while eight weighing 52kg made €196 and ten weighing 52kg made €192.

A pen of four weighing 49kg sold for €192 and three weighing 56kg made €190.