Lamb quotes back by up to 30c/kg

WHILE sheep prices at New Ross mart yesterday might have been “on fire”, the factories were also intent on doing some burning.

Although all factories quoted less yesterday morning — the general pull on spring lamb prices being in the 10c/kg bracket — Kepak Athleague pushed their quote back 30c/kg to €5.70+5QA.

The reason, according to the factories, is an easing in retail demand with the recently adequate numbers now tipping slightly over into surplus territory.

Quotes for spring lamb were as follows: Moyvalley and Kildare Chilling both drop base prices from last week by 10c/ kg to this week’s quote of €5.80/ kg, with Kildare topping up quality assured lamb with an additional 10c/kg.

Next Kepak Athleague back that 30c/kg at €5.70+5c/kg QA, they are followed by Dawn Ballyhaunis and the two ICMs with all three back 10c/kg to €5.70/kg base price.

The majority of factories continue to quote for hogget this week with prices maintained at last week’s levels.

Dawn are on €5.00/kg with Kildare a shade better on €5.00+10QA, while the two ICMs continue on €4.80+10QA. Kepak Athleague had no quote for hogget yesterday morning.

The price of ewes is largely static again this week with Kepak leading the price table on €2.65/kg plus 5c/kg bonus, followed by Kildare on €2.60+10QA bonus.

Dawn Ballyhaunis drop their quote by 10c/kg for culls to €2.50/kg just as the two ICM plants lift from last week’s quote of €2.50/kg to €2.60/kg.

With price of both hoggets and cull ewes effectively static, except for Dawn’s 10c/kg pull on ewes, it appears factories have no problem slaughtering and paying for what might be described as “second string product” but when it comes to top notch spring lamb market problems appear to arise.

Farm organisations who monitor factory price movements very carefully say market conditions are good with both John Lynskey of IFA and John Brooks of ICSA commenting “the market is strong”.

Both men agree spring lamb is being paid up to €6.10/kg on occasion but with €6.00/kg more common. The situation with cull ewes is that prices from €2.70-2.80/kg are the norm.

Bord Bia reports that trade in the UK “remains steady” with prices for lamb in both England and Wales making the equivalent of €5.59/kg.