WITH sheep farmers seeing a sudden drop in the price received for their prime lambs this week, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is reminding retailers and consumers that this is the best time of year to support and enjoy British lamb.
Average prices for prime lambs at Scottish auctions this week have typically ranged between 175 pence and 180p per kilogramme, back about 40p over the past fortnight.
The collapse in the trade is down to a flooded market that has seen 50 per cent more prime lambs pass through Scottish auctions over the last five weeks compared to the same period last year.
Phil Stocker, NSA chief executive, said: "A lot of lamb producers will be hit hard by this drop and, while it is part of a natural, seasonal trend as a lot of spring-born lambs reach the market at a similar time, it is a shame the price has dropped so suddenly.
"It does lead to questions about the extent to which retailers are supporting the British product."
Despite home-grown spring lamb being in plentiful supply at the moment, some supermarkets are continuing to promote the end-of-season New Zealand lamb on their shelves.
Mr Stocker called on all UK retailers to give support to the industry and added: "We are expecting stocks of New Zealand lamb to diminish over the next couple of weeks and NSA would like to see retailers step up promotion of the UK product in the light of that, especially given the exceptional quality of home-produced lamb through the summer months.
"Retailers should be doing all they can to stock their shelves with a UK offering and support their national supply base."
Market round-up
The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart had 20 prime cattle forward at their weekly sale in Dumfries on Wednesday when heifers sold to 221.5p per kg and averaged 197.4p, while bullocks peaked at 213.5p and levelled at 197.8p.
There were 67 cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows averaged 124.3p and dairy cows levelled at 97.1p.
The firm also sold 718 prime lambs to a top of £103 per head and 238p per kg to average 172.2p (-22.6p on the week).
The 204 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £100 for Suffolks and average £72.20 (-£8.28), while light ewes peaked at £77.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £48.67 (-71p).
United Auctions sold 176 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 252p and an average of 207.1p (-2.3p).
Meanwhile 206 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 267.9p and levelled at 211.2p (-9.4p). Nine store, B&W bullocks sold to 157.2p and averaged 151.4p (+1.2p), while 77 store bulls peaked at 230.2p and levelled at 130p.
In the rough ring 123 cows averaged 125.5p.
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