Well-finished lambs fetching up to 790c/kg
The general quote is around 750c/kg plus the quality bonus, which is worth up to 20c/kg. File pic.
The lamb trade has continued very strong, with the prices on offer either stable or stronger by 5-10c/kg for this week as demand remains the main driver of the trade.
The general quote is around 750c/kg plus the quality bonus, which is worth up to 20c/kg. There is some variation in the offerings from the processors, which leaves this week's prices either stable or improved by up to 10c/kg.
Demand for well-finished lambs, in particular, continues strong, with suppliers reporting that most of the lambs going into the factories are making 765-785c/kg and up to 790c/kg.
The speculation continues on a possible €8/kg in the offing, but the odds have weakened a shade with the processors expected to resist as the pre-Christmas season for securing supplies moves on.
The demand for stores at the mart sales continues very strong, with some exceptional prices being paid, while the live trade for the lambs is also holding up at the level of recent weeks.
Up to €144 over was paid for the butcher's lambs at Corrin on Monday, with a lot of six well-finished lambs weighing 54kg sold for €198.
The top price of the day was €208, paid for a lot of seven butcher's lambs weighing 66kg. A lot of eight weighing 52kg made €198.
There was a smaller entry than the previous week at Kilkenny, where there were 550 heads on offer. Butcher's lots sold for up to €135 over, with a top price of €190 for a pen three weighing 55kg. The factory lots sold for up to €132 over.
