Lamb quotes continued to rise this week, by a minimum of 10c/kg, following on from a similar rise last week.
Continuing to lead the way, Kepak Athleague is offering a base price of 465c/kg, a jump of 15c/kg on last weeks price.
The two Irish Country Meats’ plants and Kildare Chilling both increased their lamb quotes this week by 10c/kg, offering 450c/kg this week.
This week’s lamb price increase represents a return to quotes that were being offered in the first week in October.
Supply levels are remaining steady for this time of year and procurement managers are not expecting any significant changes in the next week or two.
Meanwhile, procurement managers across the country are offering a base price of 230c/kg for ewes.
Sheep Supplies
The total number of sheep slaughtered in Ireland for the week ending November 13 jumped by almost 14% on the week before.
Figures from the Department of Agriculture show that this rise is the equivalent of about 7,300 head.
Much of the weekly increase can be attributed to the fact that the previous week’s data, the week ending November 6, included a bank holiday.
Official figures show that spring lamb throughput is up by almost 13.4% or 5,667 head on the week before, while the combined ewe and ram slaughter is up by 19.2% or 1,636 head.
- Lambs: +5,667 head or +13.4%
- Ewes and rams: +1,636 head or +19.2%
- Total: +7,291 head or +14.3%
Main Markets
With the British sheep kill continuing to ease, prices have also seen some decline.
Bord Bia reports that a weaker Sterling is allowing UK sheepmeat to remain more competitive than Irish lamb.
In France, the market has seen little change with demand relatively slow, but the colder weather is helping consumption.
French retail promotions were focusing mainly on imported and domestically produced products including legs, chops shoulders and forequarters, with Grade 1 Irish lamb making close to 483c/kg deadweight.