Sheep trade moves in one direction
Processors added another 10c/kg to their quoted prices this week, with trade moving in one direction as it benefits producers who stuck with sheep breeding despite lean years.
Lamb prices continue to strengthen, driven by demand for scarce supplies from a shrinking national flock.
Processors added another 10c/kg to their quoted prices this week, with trade moving in one direction as it benefits producers who stuck with sheep breeding despite lean years.
Quoted prices for lambs now range from 740-760c/kg, plus up to 20c/kg for quality assurance, with some deals offering suppliers an increased cutoff on carcass weights, worth €10-€15/head.
Year-to-date supplies to processing plants are down compared to past seasons, as numbers exiting sheep production for greener pastures have tightened supply, pressuring factories to fill a robust market for sheep meat.
Strong factory trade is mirrored in live sales at marts. George Candler, auctioneer at Kilkenny Mart, described Monday’s sale as "remarkable," with butchers paying over €200/head and up to €4.27/kg for light stores.
Kilkenny saw a larger entry of 800 head, with butchers’ lambs reaching €148 over. A pen of 13 50kg lambs sold for €198, while eight 63kg lambs topped €202.
A pen of twelve 53kg lambs sold for €200, and nine 55kg lambs made €198. Factory lots sold up to €130 over, with a full clearance of all offered.
