Processors cut lamb quotes as continental pressure continues
Entries at live sales at the marts were lower for the early days of this week, and the upper edge on prices for the tops has tightened.
Lamb prices are continuing to come under pressure at the processors this week, while the trade in live sales at the marts is unchanged or slightly weaker.
Demand at the factories is reported to be strong, with most factories interested in getting more intake and the waiting time for suppliers to get lambs into factories reduced.
Most factories have cut prices by up to 10c/kg and are offering a base of 770c/kg this week, plus the usual quality bonus of up to 20c/kg.
Regular suppliers are reporting that they are getting an all-in price of 800c/kg, with some doing deals for a few cents/kg more this week.
There seems to be some price pressure from competing supplies on the continental markets, but demand has picked up with the usual holiday season coming to an end.
Entries at live sales at the marts were lower for the early days of this week, and the upper edge on prices for the tops has tightened.
Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler reported: “A few weeks ago, €200 was a regular call for the quality butcher wholesale, but today the €200 mark is few and far between.”
He also noted that the market for store lambs is weaker than usual, as “the lack of grass is preventing store lamb buyers getting involved”.
There was an entry of 520 head at Kilkenny on Monday, where the top price was €206 for a pen of butcher lambs weighing 58kg.
A lot of 20 weighing 56kg sold for €202, and 26 weighing 53kg sold for €192. The factory type made up to €120 over.
The entry at Corrin on Monday was also down and prices were weaker. The top price was €190 for butcher lambs weighing 54kg. A lot weighing 55kg made €188, and 10 weighing 49kg sold for €186.
