The lamb trade continues on a very positive note. Marts held in recent days report prices holding firm and, if anything, increasing by an average of €1 to €2/head. The mart trade is being helped by throughput of spring lambs being slow to rise and compensate for falling hogget throughput.The upcoming Ramadan festival, which starts on 26/27 May, is also helping to underpin additional demand.

Athenry Mart manager Alan Barry reported firm demand from factory agents and butcher/wholesale buyers in today’s sale. The spring lamb entry is running slightly behind the same period in 2016 and with Ramadan moving about two weeks forward, buyers were willing to compete with greater strength to secure required supplies. Lambs weighing 43kg to 45kg sold in general from €125 to €127, with heavier fleshed lambs weighing 48kg to 50kg selling to €130 to €132/head, with a top price of €137 paid for a super pen of 53kg lambs.

Weight

Buyers also had no problem in dropping down on weight for suitable finished lambs. Lambs weighing 40kg to 42kg sold from €117 to €122/head, with lighter slaughter-fit lambs back to €110. Ewes remain in demand, but prices have reduced in recent weeks. The majority of lowland ewes sold from €80 for average-quality lots to €100 to €110 for large-framed ewes.

Solid factory trade

Meanwhile, factory quotes remain unchanged at a base of €5.90/kg to €6.00/kg. Most sellers selling individually are securing €6.05/kg to €6.15/kg, with regular sellers and those with large numbers on hand or trading through groups securing €6.20/kg to a top of €6.30/kg. Carcase weight limits in most cases are being retained at 20.5kg, with factories reluctant to move to 21kg across the board.

Read more

Sheep prices: factories chasing spring lambs

Sharp rise in spring lamb trade