IFA Sheep Committee Chairman Sean Dennehy said lamb prices have pushed on this week, driven by tight supplies and strong market demand.
He said supermarket lamb sales have performed strongly throughout the COVID-19 controls, with volumes and prices up. This trend is expected to continue as the restrictions continue.
Lambs are freely making €6.10/kg, with deals to €6.25/kg available at this stage of the week. Weights to 23kgs are also available.
The IFA Sheep Chairman said farmers should continue to sell lambs as they become fit, but to sell hard and maximise returns with up to 15c/kg of a difference in prices offered by factories.
Cull ewes are making €3-€3.10/kg.
Sean Dennehy said the strong kill of lambs in 2020, in particularly in the later weeks of the year, will impact on supplies of factory lambs that are available. Combined with the strong market performance of lamb, this must be reflected in prices to farmers.
