Rise in marketings hits lamb values

18 July 1997

Rise in marketings hits lamb values

LAMB prices plunged early this week, as plentiful supplies came forward and hit a difficult market.

Average values on Tuesday were down nearly 14p on the week to 106p/kg. Contributing was the 21% rise in marketings as farmers finished haymaking and silaging and refocused on selling stock.

This was compounded by the difficult export climate, with sterling now at six-year highs of over 10Ffr and 3DM to the £.

But with the store trade strong, lambs under 38kg or 39kg may be sold to this outlet, helping to put a bottom in the prime market.