Ten days out from Easter factories are quoting as high as €7/kg for spring lambs, according to the IFA’s latest sheep market update.
The IFA says prices in the sheep market remain strong.
- Hoggets :€6.10 to €6.30/kg paid.
- UK prices very strong at €6.25/6.50/kg.
- Spring lamb €7.00/kg.
According to Bord Bia the sheep trade has seen a further lift on the back of solid demand coupled with tight supplies.
However, it did say that a mixed trade was reported across our key export markets.
Supplies at sheep export meat plants for the week ending March 14 stood at almost 42,000 head which was over 3,000 head higher than the corresponding week in 2014. Cumulative supplies for the year to date are currently 2% behind year previous level standing at around 439,000 head.
In Britain, Bord Bia says the trade remains firm. The SQQ live price for lambs in England and Wales was making the equivalent of around €6.11/kg dw towards the end of the week.
In France, Bord Bia says the trade has eased slightly with higher volumes on the market.
Trade for forequarter lamb was reported as being under pressure. The price for Grade 1 Irish lamb was making €6.25kg (DW incl VAT) towards the end of the week. Promotions are taking place mainly on shoulders and chops.