Sheep supplies 1,700 up compared to the same week in 2012, Bord Bia

Sheep prices edged backwards by 10c/kg this week as supplies picked up whilst demand lulled in a number of Ireland’s key export markets. This is according to Bord Bia this week.

“Quotes for lamb were generally making €4.60 – €4.70kg, with more available for in spec, quality assured lambs. Prices for culled ewes were generally making €1.90/kg which is in line with last week,” it said in its latest Food Alert update.

According to the Irish food board, weekly supplies for the week ending 18 August were almost 1,700 head more compared to the same week in 2012. “To date, sheep supplies at Irish processor level stand at 1.53 million, almost 170,000 more head than this time last year. According to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine average carcass weights of 19.54kg for the year to date are back by over 1kg when compared to 20.57kg for the same period in 2012.”

It noted trade across the UK remained steady throughout the week with the liveweight lamb prices up one pence on the previous week. “By the weekend, new season lamb at live markets across England and Wales were making the equivalent of around €4.80/kg,” it said.

In France, Bord Bia said the market has slowed down considerably since the bank holiday on Thursday 15. Prices for Irish Lamb were making between €4.50-4.70/kg.  With the holiday season coming to end this week trade is expected to pick up.

Ex Rungis Lamb Prices (covered lamb) 20th August, 2013 (€/kg)

Grade U, French 6.50, Imported 5.30: R, French 5.90, Imported 5.20; O, French 5.70, Imported 5.00

Graphs courtesy Bord Bia

Deadweight Lamb Prices (€/kg dw)