Processors have reduced base quotes on lambs to 355p/kg, down 10p/kg on last week. However, reports from farmer groups indicate that they are still holding out for 360p/kg.

Factory agents point to an increase in the availability of factory-fit lambs as being the primary factor behind the price cut.

Competition in the mart trade has also eased and this is also having a negative effect on factory prices. The majority of lambs purchased in NI marts move south to Irish plants for processing.

However, with two major sheep exporting plants having suspended slaughtering due to factory blockades, fewer NI lambs are crossing the Irish border.

Last week, there were 7,715 sheep moved from NI to the Republic for processing, down from 10,404 sheep exported during the previous week.

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