IFA Says Lamb Prices Very Solid

IFA National Sheep Committee Chairman James Murphy said lamb prices are very solid with factories having to pay up to €5.00/kg to get lambs. He said very tight supplies were driving the trade and leaving both factories and wholesalers anxiously looking for lambs.

On supplies, he said the kill for week-ending November 13th was down 19,000 head on the same week last year, highlighting the real tightness in numbers.

James Murphy said the current strong market conditions were driving prices and the prospects going forward look positive. He said demand remains very strong on both the domestic and export market.

The IFA sheep farmers’ leader said the current difficulties being experienced by light lamb producers needed to be addressed urgently by the processors and Bord Bia. James Murphy said hill sheep farmers producing light lamb are a vital component of the sheep sector and at a time when beef and lamb markets across the world are extremely buoyant, a positive price outlet for light lamb must be available.