Lamb prices have come under more pressure this week with base quotes falling by a further 35c/kg to 40c/kg and live prices falling by €8 to €12 per head.
Lamb prices have fallen by €8 to €12 in recent days on the back of a collapse in the trade.
ADVERTISEMENT
Lamb prices have collapsed in the last week with base quotes falling 35c/kg to 40c/kg. This translates to a reduction in factory prices of €7 to €8 on a 21kg carcase.
The fall has also been reflected in the mart trade, where prices have fallen anywhere from €7 to €12 per head with the heavy or butcher lamb trade also coming under significant pressure. The latest price cut leaves quotes 45c/kg to 50c/kg behind the same week in 2014 and in doing so is hitting farmer confidence hard.
Processors are blaming an increase in the weekly kill of 7,000 sheep, or a total of 61,110 head, and poor market demand as the reasons for a reduction in price. IFA National Sheep Committee chairman John Lynsky is criticising plants, saying they moved ahead of the drop in the market. He said French market prices for Grade 1 Irish lamb of €5.10/kg to €5.20/kg excluding VAT show factories moved too quickly and could have held prices above €5.00/kg.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, mart managers report keen interest for a small number of store lambs coming on offer. They point to lower cattle numbers and surplus fodder on some farms as attracting some beef farmers to consider purchasing lambs.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Lamb prices have collapsed in the last week with base quotes falling 35c/kg to 40c/kg. This translates to a reduction in factory prices of €7 to €8 on a 21kg carcase.
The fall has also been reflected in the mart trade, where prices have fallen anywhere from €7 to €12 per head with the heavy or butcher lamb trade also coming under significant pressure. The latest price cut leaves quotes 45c/kg to 50c/kg behind the same week in 2014 and in doing so is hitting farmer confidence hard.
Processors are blaming an increase in the weekly kill of 7,000 sheep, or a total of 61,110 head, and poor market demand as the reasons for a reduction in price. IFA National Sheep Committee chairman John Lynsky is criticising plants, saying they moved ahead of the drop in the market. He said French market prices for Grade 1 Irish lamb of €5.10/kg to €5.20/kg excluding VAT show factories moved too quickly and could have held prices above €5.00/kg.
Meanwhile, mart managers report keen interest for a small number of store lambs coming on offer. They point to lower cattle numbers and surplus fodder on some farms as attracting some beef farmers to consider purchasing lambs.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS