Factories are blaming protests by French farmers and disruption to the French export trade for the latest pull in quotes. As shown in Table 1, quotes given for today (Thursday) have fallen by 20c/kg to a base of €4.40/kg to €4.50/kg with a couple of plants not quoting for lamb.

Prices up to this point were holding relatively steady on the back of tighter supplies, with lambs trading up to midweek from €4.70/kg to €4.80/kg. Prices for lambs processed today (Thursday) have eased 10c/kg, with the base quote varying from €4.50/kg to €4.60/kg. This is leaving lambs sold yesterday and killed today bringing home prices from €4.60/kg to €4.75/kg, with a small percentage getting more by means of group bonuses.

Northern prices have steadied at £3.00/kg to £3.05/kg or the equivalent of €4.46/kg to €4.53/kg. The Northern kill increased over 4,000 head last week to 13,205 lambs following reduced factory activity in the previous week. The number of lambs exported south for direct slaughter increased by over 4,000 head to 6,437 head. At 148,753 sheep, exports for the year to date are running 28,116 head behind the same period in 2014.

Ewe quotes ease: Plants have also moved to pull the ewe trade back, with quotes reducing 10c/kg to 20c/kg. ICM and Kildare Chilling are quoting €2.50/kg, with Kepak on €2.60/kg and Ballon Meats leading the field on €2.80/kg. Demand remains firm, especially in marts, with dealers handling large numbers reported as securing €2.75/kg to €2.90/kg.

French protests: IFA National Sheep Committee chair John Lynskey said: “IFA has been in contact with the FNO [French Sheep Farmers Association] and Bord Bia over concerns regarding the French market. Reports from France indicate the focus is more on pigmeat, beef and dairy and less so on lamb.

“Controls at the border are continuing, particularly the German and Spanish borders and less so at the ports. We have also being in contact with Bord Bia and the key retailers about promotions on the domestic market as we feel there is an opportunity to promote lamb stronger.”

Joe Ryan, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) said its members are concerned about developments in France. “The French producer protest action is impacting negatively on trade. The French government has insisted all public institutions must purchase only French product in an effort to support local production. Trade has deteriorated further as the week progressed with essentially an effective retailer shutdown. The UK are suffering the same fate so there are grave concerns as to how exports will be affected. We may need ministerial involvement if the situation deteriorates any further.”.