Lamb prices remain under pressure, with local processing plants leaving base quotes unchanged on 340p/kg to 345p/kg.

This makes factory finished lambs worth £71 to £72 at the 21kg carcase weight limit. Base prices are down 30p/kg on the same week last year, or just over £6/head.

Sales held earlier this week recorded higher prices of 5p/kg to 10p/kg

However, while the factory trade remains flat, there are signs of an improving live trade, as buying agents for Irish processing plants become more active in marts.

Sales held earlier this week recorded higher prices of 5p/kg to 10p/kg.

Meanwhile, prices for store lambs are strong in relation to factory quotes. Medium- to short-keep lambs continue to sell from £64 to £67 per head for Texel and Suffolk-cross animals. Hill cross lambs are making £2 to £4 less, depending on quality.

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