Many livestock exporters have been busy this week assembling truckloads of fleshed continental-type ram lambs for export to EU markets.

The lambs are in seasonal demand for celebration of the Eid al-Adha festival, a key date in the Islamic calendar, which this year falls on 1 to 5 September.

Trucks were this week going to yards in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Exporters report that prices are broadly similar to last year.

40kg and upwards

Most are looking for lambs weighing 40kg upwards with prices to date ranging from €2.20/kg to €2.25/kg for lighter lots and back to €2/kg for heavy lambs. Transport of the animals costs an additional €20 to €25 per head.

Last year over 41,000 sheep were exported live in August and September for this trade.

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