Deadweight lamb prices highest since January

Deadweight lamb prices have risen steeply, to reach their highest level since early January.

The R3L SQQ increased by more than 4p/kg in the week to 17 March, to average 450p/kg, with the overall SQQ average rising by a similar amount, to 444.1p/kg. Liveweight values have also improved, possibly as part of the seasonal uplift in the run up to the Easter trading period. In the week to 20 March, the GB old season SQQ jumped by almost 8p/kg, to 212.7p/kg, with medium weights recording the greatest rise, to 213.99p/kg. Cull ewe values improved by £4.91 over the same period, to average £84.45 a head.

“With Easter in early April this year, prices are expected increase this month,” said a report by AHDB Meat Services. “However, the tight global supply situation, prevalent in 2011, appears to have eased. Latest figures from New Zealand indicate an 18% increase in lamb throughputs in January, while in Australia, the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate a 10% increase in throughputs. These increased supplies come as demand is somewhat limited – as a result farmgate lamb prices in both these countries have eased considerably.”

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