Lamb schedule firms as UK supply tightens
Fourth consecutive weekly lift as old-season lambs clear and export demand holds. Finish them properly or sell them store — do not split the difference.
Processors lifted lamb schedules for the fourth week running as UK supply tightened earlier than usual, with old-season lambs largely cleared and new-season numbers arriving slowly after a cold, late spring.
Deadweight quotes moved up another 8–10p this week, putting the SQQ measure roughly 12 per cent ahead of the same week last year. Export demand into France and Belgium remains firm, and the weaker sterling run has helped competitiveness against Irish supply.
Auctioneers report strong rings but note the quality spread is wide: well-finished lambs are making exceptional money while leaner sorts are being discounted harder than the headline averages suggest. The advice from the rostrum is unsentimental — finish them properly or sell them store, but do not split the difference.
Hill flocks selling store lambs later in the season stand to benefit if finishers chase replacements on the strength of the schedule. Several agents suggest booking space early; the same tightness lifting prices is also compressing processor slots.
The counterweight is New Zealand chilled volume, which typically builds into the northern autumn. So far arrivals are running behind last year, but the Christmas trade will be set by decisions being made in Canterbury cool stores this month.
By RFT Markets Desk