The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said that there is a very strong demand for lamb at present, with Easter and Ramadan approaching this year.
The festivals are important dates in the sheep farming calendar, according to IFA National Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy.
Dennehy highlighted that, for the next five years to 2024, Easter and Ramadan will be only two weeks apart.
“This aligning of the calendar should drive strong demand for lamb at an early stage in the year, just as the first of the new season lamb appears on the market,” he said.
The IFA Sheep farmers leader said farmers should select their stock carefully and be careful not to sell under finished lambs. He said with Ramadan coming in early May, demand should remain strong.
Poor Prices
According to the IFA, the Irish sheep sector is a very important farming enterprise with 35,000 farmers and an output of €390 million.
However, Dennehy was also critical of some factories, who he said were trying to talk down prices and attempting to control the trade at this critical time of year.
The first of the new season spring lambs will be very tight in numbers, with prices are in the region of €6.60 to €6.80/kg to 21kgs.
Last year they were making €7.20/kg.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
