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HomeFarming NewsSheep trade: €6.40-€6.50/kg for 'most sellers'
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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Sheep trade: €6.40-€6.50/kg for ‘most sellers’

Lamb prices are ranging from €6.40-€6.50/kg for most sellers, according to IFA national sheep chairman, Sean Dennehy.

Meanwhile, cull ewes are making €3.00 to €3.20/kg.

Strong retail demand

Dennehy said the latest supermarket sales figures to the end of 2020 show continued strong lamb performance at the retail level, underpinning the trade where both the volume and value of lamb sales show significant growth.

The latest 12-week period to end-December 2020 shows a volume increase of 14% and a price increase of 4% contributing to overall spend on lamb increasing by over 18% compared to 2019.

Tight supplies

The IFA sheep chairman said numbers are projected to remain tight, and the strong retail performance will drive the trade.

“Reduced volumes of imported lamb in the EU market and the knock-on effect to prices show the value of the market for Irish and EU farmers when it is reliant on EU production to service it”.

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“The Brexit agreement must be utilised to benefit Irish sheep farmers. A vital aspect of this is revisiting the requirements surrounding the movement of breeding sheep to Northern Ireland.”

“Strong support for sheep farmers in the new CAP is critical. In addition, the value of the current EU market for lamb must be maximised, and the new opportunities for breeding sheep to Northern Ireland availed of by the sector,” he concluded.

Last week’s national kill

The national sheep kill for the week commencing January 11th, 2021 stood at 52,433 head, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s database.

This brings the kill for the year-to-date to 104,793 head, which is 1,070 head higher than the corresponding period in 2020.

Last’s week’s kill:
  • Lambs/hoggets: 45,634;
  • Spring lambs: 0
  • Ewes and rams: 6,798;
  • Light lambs: 1.
Cumulative:
  • Lambs/hoggets: 91,598;
  • Spring lambs: 0;
  • Ewes and rams: 13,188;
  • Light lambs: 7

Read more sheep-related content here.

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