Factory quotes for lambs have come under pressure this week on the back of a further reduction in demand while there has been some tightening in supply.

According to Bord Bia, a mixed trade was reported across our key export markets.

Base quotes this week saw lambs generally making between €4.50/kg and €4.60/kg with higher quotes reported for selected lots, while prices paid for culled ewes were making between €2.40/kg and €2.50/kg.

Supplies at sheep export meat plants for the week ending October 11 stood at over 58,000 head which was 20% down on the corresponding week in 2014.

Cumulative supplies for the year to date are currently up 1% on year previous levels standing at over 2m head.

IFA lamb price report

In Britain, a relatively steady trade was reported, according to Bord Bia.

The SQQ live price for lambs in England and Wales was making the equivalent of around €4.46/kg recently.

Meanwhile, in France, Bord Bia says the trade has eased on the back of poor demand and ample supplies of UK lamb on the market.

It says promotions were centred on domestically produced forequarter lamb. Grade 1 Irish lambs was making €4.67/kg (DW incl VAT) towards the end of the week.