Major Increase in Demand for Easter Lamb

IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said there is a major increase in demand for lamb at retail level for Easter and this is reflected in processors actively looking for lambs from farmers this week.

He said the factory instructions to agents were ‘get me everything you can get your hands on’.

Sean Dennehy said factories are paying €5.60/kg, with reports of deals at €5.70 and as high as €5.80/kg including bonuses.

He said small numbers of spring lambs were moving at €6.20 to €6.40/kg, with better deals for individual lots.

Sean Dennehy said Bord Bia have begun their Easter promotions with celebrity chefs posting online cooking demonstrations. He said to promote lamb for Easter Sunday next weekend, the following chefs will cook a lamb dish:

Tues, 7^th April – Catherine Fulvio

Wed, 8^th April – JP McMahon

Sun, 12^th April – Neven Maguire

In addition, lamb is featuring in the Bord Bia Quality Assurance TV campaign promoting all meats.