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There are signs emerging of finished lamb numbers slowly starting to tighten. A number of producer groups report a reduction in throughput, while mart entries of finished lambs are variable.
Factory procurement report numbers are being compensated for by store lamb finishers moving lambs in greater numbers. But even with this, reports indicate agents are now having to work harder and make contact with finishers about potential supplies coming on stream.
Last week, throughput eased marginally by 2,175 head to 65,156. This includes 53,979 lambs and 11,071 ewes and rams.
Base quotes for Thursday remain unchanged. Kildare Chilling continues to top the quotes table with its base of €4.45/kg and 10c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus.
The two ICM plants in Camolin and Navan are offering a base of €4.35/kg and 10c/kg QA, while Kepak Athleague remains on a base of €4.30/kg and 15c/kg QA. Moyvalley Meats and Ballon Meats all-in quotes remain at €4.50/kg and €4.40/kg, respectively.
Factories are slow to increase carcase weight limits to 22kg and this is adding to producer frustration with quotes running 15c/kg to 25c/kg behind the corresponding period in 2018.
Northern sector
Last week’s sheep throughput in northern plants reduced by a further 411 head to 9,138.
Reports indicate priority in some plants continues to be directed towards dealing with higher cattle throughput.
The kill figure is a reduction of 1,125 head on the corresponding week in 2018.
Base quotes are unchanged at £3.45/kg, which at Wednesday afternoon’s exchange rate of 86.3p to the euro equates to €4.00/kg and €4.21/kg VAT-inclusive at 5.4%.
Agents purchasing on behalf of southern plants are said to be more active since the end of last week. The number of sheep imported south for direct slaughter last week increased 251 head to 9,932.
This is marginally below the corresponding figure of 10,122 in 2018, with year-to-date throughput back 37,455 head.
British lamb prices have halted their downward momentum, with the latest AHDB price report showing average prices rising 3p/kg.
This leaves R grading lambs averaging in the region of £3.75/kg to £3.77/kg (€4.35/kg to €4.39/kg and to €4.58/kg to €4.60/kg including VAT).
Processing charges
Irish Country Meats has reintroduced clipping charges. The company says there are changes to last year’s flat-rate charge of 20c/head.
There is no charge on lambs classified as Category A under the clean livestock policy, while the charge on Category B lambs has increased from 20c/head to 30c/head.
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