Depleted lamb stocks drive up prices
Sheep farmers have begun to draw ewe lambs from replacements to capitalise on deadweight prices that have marched through the £6/kg mark.
AHDB figures for the week ending 20 February, showed old season lamb (OSL) SQQ deadweight prices rose by 16p/kg in seven days to average 609.10p/kg.
Prices are 160p/kg above the five-year average, and 77p/kg higher than the same week last year.
The deadweight price is above the record high seen in April 2018, according to AHDB analyst Bronwen Magee.
Liveweight prices did ease back slightly during the week to 24 February with OSL SQQ down by just under 2p/kg, to average 277.88p/kg.
“But prices continue to trend well above those achieved last year at 43p higher than the same week in 2019, and 78p above the five-year average,” Ms Magee said.
Strong demand, low supply
West Country-based livestock co-op CQLP said it was seeing an exceptional market with demand remaining strong.
Marketing and procurement officer Shelley Lockett said deadweight prices had risen to peak at 620p/kg for a 22kg, E 3L lamb this week.
The same grade organic lambs had reached 640p/kg, Ms Lockett said.
by Jonathan Riley / Farmers Weekly
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