Irish Lamb Prices Firming Amidst Tight Supply
Irish Lamb Prices Firming Amidst Tight Supply, Though Deadweight Prices Dip Slightly
IRELAND – [May 30, 2025] – The Irish lamb market is showing signs of firming, driven by tight supplies and stable demand, although deadweight prices experienced a slight dip recently.
Base quotes from major processors had been declining for several weeks, but the week ending April 27th saw an increase, with offers reaching €8.70-€8.80/kg for well-finished lambs, including Quality Assurance (QA) bonuses. Sellers achieving prices at the higher end of the market have also successfully negotiated increased carcass weight allowances up to 23kg.
This strengthening trade is attributed to relatively constrained lamb supplies combined with consistent demand from both domestic and export markets throughout 2024 and into early 2025. Tight lamb supplies are also a trend across key European and UK lamb-producing regions, as evidenced by Eurostat figures indicating a contraction in breeding flock numbers. In Ireland, the ewe flock decreased by 3.7% in the December 2023 census compared to December 2022, representing a reduction of 107,000 head and contributing to the current supply tightness.
Reported deadweight prices for the week ending April 27th increased by 42c/kg to €8.63/kg, however this reflects a slight drop following two consecutive weeks of price increases. In the corresponding week of 2024, the reported deadweight price was significantly higher at €9.43/kg. The deadweight trade has also seen a slight decline across UK regions, with reported lamb prices in mainland GB at €8.05/kg (-15c/kg) and in Northern Ireland at €8.82/kg for the week ending April 27th 2025.
While Southern Hemisphere prices remain below European levels, they have improved considerably in recent weeks, narrowing the price differential with the EU. This recent improvement should impact their competitiveness in EU markets in the medium to longer term. This week, prices in Australia and New Zealand are at €4.67/kg and €4.50/kg, showing a slight increase and decrease respectively.
There was a decrease in the total sheep kill in Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) approved plants last week, totalling 32,881 head, compared to 34,712 in the same week of 2024. A smaller lamb crop and difficult lambing conditions have contributed to the tighter supplies and reduced throughput. Total year-to-date (TYD) slaughter is down 18% on 2024, totalling 689,550 head.
Original source: Bord Bia
