Lamb prices dip from seasonal record

Lamb prices have started their seasonal decline, having reached the highest level ever for this time of year. New season values dropped by an average of 14.22p/kg in the week to 17 June, to a GB SQQ average of 226.22p/kg liveweight, as auction throughputs increased by 7%, to 99,827 head.

Earlier this month, prices reached 248.1p/kg, the highest point ever during the first week of June, said a report by EBLEX. “Even in the record year of 2011 prices were in decline at this point and well below the current levels.”

Old season lambs averaged an SQQ of 172.10p/kg liveweight in the week to 17 June – 15.33p/kg down on the previous week. Cull ewe values eased by 3.55p, to average £71.31 a head.

Deadweight values had also been performing well, with the GB new season SQQ reaching 524.7p/kg last week – 25p ahead of the previous high for this time of year, recorded in 2013, said the EBLEX report. However, the latest week, to 14 June, saw values fall by 3.5p/kg, to 521.2p/kg deadweight, as throughputs increased from 39,791 head to 48,169. The R3L average fell by 4.3p, to 520.4p/kg.