Irish Lamb Prices Hold Firm as Global Markets Tighten
Irish Lamb Prices Hold Firm as Global Markets Tighten
20 October 2025 | Ireland
Irish lamb prices have steadied following recent volatility, with strong export demand helping to support values despite increased supply in key overseas markets. Tight flocks across Europe and the Southern Hemisphere are keeping trade firm heading into late October.
Sheep Trade & Prices
Base quotes for lambs this week remain between €7.60–€7.70/kg (plus QA bonus), with most major processors paying up to a 22 kg carcass limit.
Reports suggest that greater lamb availability in the UK and other export destinations has softened demand for Irish product in some channels.
The reported deadweight price for the week ending 11 October rose slightly to €7.50/kg, up from €7.23/kg in the same week last year. In Great Britain, the deadweight lamb trade has come under pressure from increased supply, slipping by the equivalent of 12 c/kg to €7.66/kg, while Northern Ireland prices eased marginally to €7.18/kg.
Global Comparison
In the Southern Hemisphere, trade has shown moderate recovery:
-
Australia: heavy lamb prices increased 4 c/kg to the equivalent of €6.36/kg.
-
New Zealand: prices rose to €5.30/kg.
Tighter supplies of slaughter-ready sheep and continued firm export demand in both regions have helped narrow the traditional price gap between Europe and Southern Hemisphere producers.
Throughput
Total sheep throughput at DAFM-approved plants for the week ending 11 October fell to 40,501 head, remaining below last year’s levels.
-
Year-to-date throughput: down 20 % versus 2024, with declines seen across all sheep categories.
-
Tight lamb supplies are not unique to Ireland — UK and EU data also indicate contracting flocks and lower output from the 2025 lambing season.
This scarcity may provide short-term opportunity for Irish lamb exporters, although competitive pricing from non-EU origins continues to exert pressure on margins.
Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Sheep Trade & Prices, October 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)
Read full article Share on X