Irish Lamb Prices Hold Steady as UK Market Softens
Irish lamb prices remained stable last week after several weeks of relative steadiness in the deadweight trade. Base quotes are now in the range of €7.70–€7.80/kg, plus QA bonus, with many processors paying up to an upper carcase weight of 22kg.
The reported Irish deadweight price for the week ending 23 August was €7.69/kg, unchanged from the previous week. While there has been some downward pressure, prices remain well above both the €7.18/kg recorded at the same point last year and the three-year average of €7.03/kg.
In contrast, UK lamb prices eased, with mainland Great Britain down the equivalent of 23c/kg to €8.50/kg, and Northern Ireland edging lower to €7.64/kg.
Globally, Southern Hemisphere prices remain competitive. Australian heavy lambs stood at €6.47/kg, narrowing the gap with Irish prices to just €1.22/kg, compared with €4/kg in mid-May. New Zealand lamb eased slightly to €5.03/kg, though still close to its strongest level since late 2022.
Throughput in Ireland rose to 41,861 head last week, but remains well below 2024 levels, with year-to-date slaughter down 17% at 1.36 million head. Tight supplies are evident across Europe and the UK, where shrinking flocks and lower 2025 lamb output may keep the EU market attractive for both Irish and imported product.
