Strong Demand for Lamb Driven by Ramadan and Retail Sales

IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said the lamb trade remains solid with tight supplies of spring lamb and strong demand driven by the end of Ramadan and additional retail demand.

He said factories are actively looking for lambs and paying €6.20 to €6.30/kg.

Many of the retail customers are now making the full switch over to Spring lamb. Last week’s kill was divided 60%/40% in favour of spring lambs.

Sean Dennehy said, “Supplies remain tight with agents told to leave nothing behind, reflecting the strong demand for Ramadan”.

Hogget numbers have also tightened with prices at €5.60/5.70/kg for quality stock.

Last week’s sales at the factories totalled 42,475, made up of 14,561 hoggets; 21,112 spring lambs; and 6,798 ewes.

Disposals to date this year are up 49,748 on last year, with hoggets up 69,897 and ewe numbers down 19,969.