Price pressure has returned to the lamb market following a couple of weeks of steadier trading.
The majority of plants have reduced their base quotes by 10c/kg and are offering an opening price in negotiations of €8.70/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment.
Groups and regular sellers continue to secure 10c/kg higher or a price of €9/kg, with plants trying to curtail prices at this level.
There are reports of some groups with a higher payment mechanism and sellers handling large numbers being paid 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.
Agents have become coyer in their purchasing activity and are unwilling to quote beyond midweek, with many trying to condition farmers to the potential of further cuts later in the week.
Most plants are now paying to 22kg carcase weight, but reports indicate that average carcase weights continue to trend below normal levels.
Numbers remain relatively low, but there appears to be little appetite among agents to handle higher numbers, with most farmers continuing to face a few days lead-in time from booking to slaughter.
Steady ewe trade
The ewe trade is steady, with prices on offer in most plants ranging from €5/kg to €5.20/kg, while, at the higher end of the market, a price of €5.50/kg to upwards of €5.60/kg is being paid.
Reports indicate that some plants are willing to exceed their normal carcase weight payment limit of 43kg to 45kg to compete with the live trade to try to encourage higher numbers direct off farms to the factory.
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