Lamb and hogget prices in Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) have shown a significant contrast over the last month.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the deadweight standard quality quotation (SQQ), which serves as an average price for all lambs sold at market in Britain, has reached “new seasonal heights during the first seven weeks of the year”.
GB deadweight SQQ lamb prices continue to increase, with significant jumps of up to 28p/kg (33c/kg) in recent weeks.
“Prices have never seen such an elevated period during January and February,” AHDB analysts noted.
AHDB estimated throughputs through 2024 have been lower than previous years. For the first seven weeks of 2024, estimated throughputs have totalled 1.4m head, which is a fall of 4% on average from the same period in 2023.
Both estimated slaughterings and AHDB’s deadweight sample show much greater pressure on numbers into February, reinforcing the tight lamb supply at present.
Looking ahead, AHDB analysis expects that Easter and Eid al Fitr, could provide an additional opportunity for lamb demand, as both religious festivals are both strongly associated with lamb.
It is anticipated that retailers will take a similar approach to last year with strong promotional activity, which should help boost sales.
NI lamb and hogget prices
Recent base quotes for R3 grading hoggets have risen to £6.20/kg (€7.25/kg) this week in NI, with only one plant continuing to quote up to 22kg while the others are quoting to 22.5kg.
Tighter supplies of hoggets in NI are strengthening the deadweight trade, while across the water in GB, hogget prices were last reported at £6.89/kg (€8.05/kg) .
Increased demand across NI continues to push prices up across local marts with small numbers being presented in the sale rings.
NI sheep trade strengthened further last week as the average NI hogget price surged 32.3p/kg (37c/kg).
Last week in Ballymena mart, Co. Antrim, the average price paid for a hogget increased by 22p/kg (26c/kg) to an average paid price of £6.00/kg (€7.01/kg).
