No change as Moyvalley still leads the way

LAMB prices remained fixed at last week’s levels as of yesterday morning, with no movement in official quotes.

Moyvalley lead the way with an all-in price of €4.60/kg that leaves everyone else trailing by 9-20c/kg. Leading the chasers, just, is Kepak Athleague with an all-in quote of €4.51/kg.

The two ICM plants and Kildare Chilling were on an all-in quote, including bonuses, of €4.50/kg, which leaves Dawn Ballyhaunis trailing Moyvalley by 20c/kg.

There is also no change in quotes for ewes either, with Kildare Chilling still ahead of Kepak by that 4c/kg of a difference in their quality payment structure at €2.30, plus that 10c/kg bonus, as opposed to Kepak, who are also on €2.30/ kg, but whose bonus is only 6c/kg.

Next in line, come the new additions to the ABP group, the two ICM plants, both of whom quoted €2.20 plus a bonus of 10c/kg; Dawn Ballyhanuais are on €2.20, with Moyvalley not quoting for ewes. These were the official positions of all the plants when contacted yesterday morning, yet, as is the norm, more was to be had.

Both John Lynskey of IFA and John Brooks of ICSA claimed prices for lamb were steady on a base of €4.70/kg, with John Lynskey pushing the boat out to €4.80/kg. John Brooks reported that, in relation to weights, 22.5kg was paid last week, while John Lynskey said the IFA will want to see the limit increased to 23kgs from November 1.

Some marts reported a bounce from single farm payment last week, while others noted no significant effect. This, combined with the factories holding their prices and yet another week of relatively dry weather forecasts, leaves the trade in a sort of stationary orbit. John Brooks said: “It’s an in-between time, but farmers need to be vigilant where price, weights and issues on clipping are concerned. A bit like the full-back marking that tricky full-forward. Stand in close and pull hard.”

Moving north of the border, I see that the latest Livestock and Meat Commission report shows sheep meat consumption for the 12 weeks ending September 11 accounted for 12pc of their total red meat sales in terms of value, or 11pc of total red meat sales by volume, which is a 2pc increase on the same period in 2015.

Moving to the continent, Bord Bia figures show France leading the league table on price as of the week ending October 15 on €6.57/kg, with Spain second on €5.40/kg and Ireland next on €4.38/kg, just ahead of the UK on €4.36/kg, with the North coming in at €4.18/kg.

New Zealand, who as yet have not sold any significant volumes to UK supermarkets due to the weakness of sterling against the New Zealand dollar, are reported as paying as high as €3.94/kg.