Despite a considerable increase in throughputs, the SQQ at GB auction markets still moved up with reports suggesting that domestic retail promotions are going some way in mitigating the challenge offered to export performance on the back of the continued strong value of sterling against the euro.

Numbers of lambs reached around 135,000 in the week ending 29 October representing a 13% increase on the week. The liveweight GB price for new season lamb ( NSL) rose 5p to level at 159.6p/kg in the week ending 22nd October whilst prices continued to rise after the weekend with the SQQ on Monday and Wednesday ( 27-29 October ) at 161.0p/kg. The SQQ is now back to the same level it was in late August but it is still down around 13p on the same week in 2013. 

In deadweight markets prices edged up following relative stability throughout the month so far.

The GB NSL averaged 354.9p/kg in week ended 25 October, up 2p on the previous week.

UK lamb supplies set to remain plentiful as recent figures released for the UK sheep flock confirm that this year’s lamb crop was larger than in recent years, given a larger breeding flock in December and better seasonal conditions.

With all these extra lambs around, it is no surprise that new AHDB/EBLEX forecasts show an increase in lamb slaughtering’s for the remainder of this season.