Sheep market cools but prices up on 2019

There was also a downwards trend through the week, with prices slipping towards the 240p/kg mark.

Prices however continued to average higher than last year, by 6 per cent for new season stock and 8 per cent for old.

In 2019, new season lambs had traded at about 240p/kg in the first half of May before sliding towards 230p/kg in the second half.

Iain Macdonald, senior economics analyst, Quality Meat Scotland, said: “As a result of Ramadan coming to an end, processors were looking to secure additional supplies in the period leading up to it, providing a boost to market prices in mid-May.

“A clear demonstration of the impact on sheepmeat demand from the festival comes from the market being able to absorb increases in the combined total of new and old season lambs of 29 per cent on the week and 34 per cent on the year.”

At Scottish auctions, the strength of demand in the week to May 20 saw auction prices for new season lambs edge higher to average 262p/kg, which was a 13 per cent increase on the same week of 2019.

Meanwhile, old season lamb prices were 12 per cent higher than last year, averaging 210p/kg.

Cull ewe prices were also affected in mid-May, although they appear to have taken an earlier lift than prime sheep prices, jumping back above £80 a head in the week to May 13th despite a rise in marketings.

A more significant lift in sales in the following week then saw prices dip back towards £70.