Strong demand from processors for lambs has seen prices of €4.90/ to 4.95/kg available with top prices of €5.00/kg paid being this week according to the IFA’s latest lamb price update.
Sheep supplies for the week ending October 31 decreased by around 6,000 head on the previous week to stand at 43,201 head. Both last weeks bank holiday and IFA beef protest are likely to have contributed to the fall.
Recent figures show that lamb supplies for the year to date stand at 2.2 million head, equivalent an additional 35,000 or 2% increase on last year.
In Britain, Bord Bia says the trade showed some lift as supplies were unchanged. The SQQ live price for new season lambs in Great Britain was making the equivalent of around €4.70/kg dw towards the end of the week.
In France, Bord Bia report that the trade was steady. Market demand is expected to be helped by the re-opening of schools next week although strong promotional activity by other meats is expected to continue. Grade 1 Irish Spring lambs were making around €4.60/kg (inclusive of VAT).