Strong Prices for New Season Lambs

Written by John McDonagh
Thursday, 20 March 2008
With new season lambs a scarcity at the moment, there is a sharper edge to the trade for supplies at the factories with demand being strong for both hogget’s and new season lambs. Both the marts and the factories saw the arrival of the first of the spring lambs over the past week, and strong prices were had at both venues. High demand has also led to an improved trade for hogget’s at the factories, this week, where prices have shown some gains. In Hacketstown, Kepak quoted up to 410cents/kg (146p/lb) as a base price for hogget’s last Tuesday, with a further 5cents/kg (2p/lb) bonus for quality. Kildare Chilling offered a similarly high price of 409cents/kg with 6cents/kg bonus and Dawn at Ballyhanuis offered 405cents/kg, with 6cents/kg bonus for quality. Producers reported that these were the starting point prices for direct deals, which delivered up to 10cents/kg extra for stock at factories where the supply was fairly tight. The factories are quoting 550-560cents/kg (196p-200p/lb) for new season lamb and an additional bonus for quality lots, but supplies are remaining very scarce, as yet, with the early Easter and the late spring a poor recipe for Easter lamb. The trade for lamb in Britain has improved somewhat over the past week, with prices showing a lift of up to 10p/lb bringing the price to the equivalent of 429 cents/kg (incl Vat) as the supply tightened. In France the supply has remained light, which is benefiting the trade in Ireland. The Irish grade 1 lamb is making up to 473 cents/kg. In the marts, up to €80 over was paid for the first of the new season lambs. Numbers on offer were small. Hogget’s are selling for up to €40 over for butcher’s lots, and factory lots ranged up to €35 over.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 March 2008 )

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