The lamb trade continues to trend upwards, despite factory attempts to keep prices in check.
Base quotes have increased by 10c/kg to 20c/kg this week, leaving opening prices on offer for quality-assured lambs ranging from €8.10/kg to €8.30/kg.
There are deals going above this rate, but only to sellers handling large numbers and holding strong negotiating power.
Two-tier price
A two-tier price has opened up in mart sales. Marts where wholesale and butcher buyers are dominant have recorded prices ranging from €185 to €200 per head for lambs weighing upwards of 50kg.
In some cases, lambs have hit as high as €210 to €220 per head. Prices are trending over €10 per head higher than in sales, where trade is reliant on buying from factory agents.
Prices in Northern Ireland continue to trend well ahead of Ireland, with base quotes up by another 10p/kg for Thursday. This leaves base quotes at £7/kg or the equivalent of €8.15/kg.
There is increased competition in the market due to greater interest from agents purchasing sheep for live export to Ireland and Britain, with top prices hitting £7.20/kg (€8.38/kg).
SHARING OPTIONS