Farmers Should Reject Low Factory Price Quotes for Lamb

IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said sheep farmers should not accept the unrealistic low quoted prices offered by the meat factories this week for lamb.

The IFA sheep farmers leader “accused the factories of trying to undermine the market at this key time of the year, when prices should be peaking”.

Sean Dennehy said despite some quotes as low as €5.00/kg, factories are having to pay €5.50 to €5.60/kg for hoggets and up to €1 more for spring lambs. He said some larger finishers were securing deals above these price levels.

He said with Ramadan beginning on the first week of May, demand for lamb should continue strong and supplies will remain tight. “The factories are trying their hardest to undermine the market and pay lower prices to farmers, which in turn will hit farm income. Farmers must resist this and insist on prices significantly above the low quoted prices.”