Lamb price dips despite lower numbers

New-season liveweight lamb prices fell in the week to Tuesday, with markets seeing an SQQ average of 225.29p/kg.

This was a 9.6p/kg drop on a 6% lower throughput than the previous week. The fall came mostly in the first two days of the week, when the average was 6p/kg lower than for the week to Saturday (11 September).

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The week to Saturday price showed the second consecutive weekly fall, after a steady trade since mid-August, and put the SQQ average about 20p up on year-ago levels.

Demand remains strong, however, especially for best export types. Finished lamb throughputs have been lower than in 2020 for most weeks since the new-season lamb crop started coming to market in significant numbers.

A very small drop in cull ewe numbers in markets for the week ended Tuesday saw trade hold steady at just over £76.50 a head.

However, there has been a wide range between the regions, with McCartneys reporting a barn-storming trade at Ludlow on Monday (13 September).

Ewes made up to £162 a head and averaged almost £78, with good Suffolk and Continental ewes all making between £100 and £130 a head, said the firm. 

AHDB Beef and Lamb said some industry reports suggested that supermarkets were reluctant to push lamb due to their current profit margins.

This could bring pressure to the market, it said. However, freight costs continue at high levels, which is limiting import volumes.