Snow hits lamb throughputs

Lamb throughputs dropped to just a quarter of normal levels at markets in areas badly affected by snow.


Ulverston Auction Mart in Cumbria had an entry of about 300 lambs against its more normal 1,200 at this time of year.


However, prices have been steady, with the GB SQQ at 196.18p/kg liveweight on Tuesday 2 April.


In the run up to Easter, liveweight lamb prices hit a nine-month high, due to better domestic and export demand. Prices peaked at 202.0p/kg for the week ended 16 March. Weekly averages then fell to 197.95p/kg to 22 March and 196.71p/kg to 30 March.


While weather-related losses will be devastating for individuals, they would not impact the market significantly, said EBLEX’s Paul Heyhoe.


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