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The factory trade remains solid for lambs, with prices paid improving by 5c/kg on average.
Most farmers are securing an all-in price of €4.70/kg for lambs, but higher prices are being negotiated.
Factories supplying the domestic market are particularly keen for quality assured (QA) lambs and are paying an all-in price of €4.75/kg.
With the Christmas trade fast approaching, factories will start to turn their attention towards supplying this market and a good supply of QA lambs will be necessary for this.
Farmers with very large numbers of QA lambs have secured €4.80/kg, but this seems to be the line in the sand factory agents will not cross.
Some factories are offering farmers with non-QA lambs a price of €4.65/kg, but, again, higher prices are being negotiated in a lot of cases.
Weight limits are also a bone of contention for farmers with heavy lambs now. The total lamb kill is holding at 48,234 head, but this kill is being propped up by over 10,000 lambs being imported for direct slaughter from the north.
Many agents report that it has been difficult to source lambs domestically, which has led to a greater reliance on northern imports.
The main driver of the improved lamb trade seems to be a combination of reduced domestic lamb supplies and a stronger sterling.
The west of Ireland continues to drive the trade, with Kepak quoting a base price of €4.65/kg excluding bonuses.
IFA national sheep chair John Lynskey said the lamb trade is stronger this week, driven by Christmas demand and tighter supplies.
He said the factories are anxious for lambs paying €4.75/kg to €4.80/kg. He said weights are also moving, with some factories paying up to 23kg.
NI trade
Imports of northern sheep for direct slaughter in southern plants are steady at 10,480 last week. The northern kill increased marginally last week from 9,856 to 10,017 lambs, with ewes and rams also slightly up by 117 head to 903. Plants are quoting £3.75/kg to £3.80/kg to 22kg carcase weight or the equivalent of €4.64/kg to €4.69/kg at 85p to the euro and VAT included.
Reports show finishers with high numbers securing 5p/kg to 10p/kg above quotes, with mart sales reducing and more competition entering the trade.
Irish lamb is trading in France at €4.50/kg or the equivalent of €4.73/kg VAT included. British lamb in France was reported as trading 10c/kg lower earlier in the week. Markets are fluctuating due to variance in the sterling to euro exchange rate. Lamb prices in Britain are trading on average for £3.80/kg to £3.85/kg (€4.69/kg to €4.76/kg).
Northern view: Christmas kill coming to an end
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