Finished old season lamb values have been on the slide since the end of December, but prices are slowly but surely improving, which coupled with the re-opening of China and Ramadan in March, will hopefully bolster trade further in the coming weeks.

While there is much talk of reduced demand for British lamb on the continent, due to Europe being ‘awash with New Zealand lamb’, it is thought the UK also has a higher turnover of lambs still to sell, which according to Morpeth-based Stephen Kirkup Livestock, is one of the main reasons why values have been on the wane.

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However, Mr Kirkup, who procured lambs for the Randall Parker Foods and for markets in Belgium, France and Germany, is relatively optimistic prices will slowly but surely start to improve.

“There was no real autumn glut of lambs on the market last year compared to previous years,” he told The Scottish Farmer, pointing out that the hot, dry summer in many areas meant lambs took longer to finish than in previous years, which gained little weight through September, October and November when the rain appeared.

Faced with the huge feed bills, he said many producers sold lambs in December when prices were high, which in turn led to a back log at the abattoirs.

“I do think it is increased supplies that have caused most of the problems rather than the lack of demand, because we are still selling to France, Belgium and Germany.

“Sheep prices were also very dear in December 2021, which meant the supermarkets affiliated with New Zealand lamb have been looking to process more rather than face huge prices for lamb in this country again.

“But, the processors are getting through the backlogs and I do think February will be a brighter month. A new month can make a huge difference to sales as people know where they are with credit and supermarkets will often have various promotions and there is Valentine’s Day in February,” said Mr Kirkup.

Archie Hamilton, head sheep auctioneer at Lawrie and Symington’s Lanark market was also relatively positive for some improvement in the trade.

“Our prime sale on Monday averaged 228p per kg which is 22p per kg back on the year and 26p down on 2021 values, but it is still higher than the same sale in 2020 which averaged 205p per live kg.

“Despite having a lot more poorer quality lambs forward, this week’s average is also up on the big sales at the end of last week and on our sale last week which levelled at 230p.

With Ramadan falling earlier again this year, from March 22, through to April 21, Mr Hamilton is hopeful prices will pick up for then too when generally more lamb is consumed. The opening up of China should also help take some of the New Zealand lamb on the market.

“Prices during Ramadan last year which fell at the end of April through into May, ranged from 260-270p per kg and there will be more hours of darkness this year which means less time fasting.”

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Live markets south of the Border have already shown some improvement on the week, with 14,194 old season lambs sold on Monday to average 233.2p, up 2.6p per kg on the week for 24.2% less. On Tuesday, 18,829 lambs were sold in England and Wales to balance out at 238.5p which represents a rise of 10.1p on the previous seven days with 5.1% fewer cashed.

Closer to home, on Monday, Scottish livestock markets sold 4790 lambs at 225.5p, which is a fall of 2.8p on the previous seven days and for 28.4% less, with Tuesday’s auctions seeing 2105 cashed at 227.5p – up 5.4p for 33% fewer.