FIGURES from Kantar Worldpanel (12-week data to November 5 2017) show retail sales of Scottish-origin lamb in Scotland increased by 38.2 per cent during the "Wham Bam Lamb" campaign compared with the same period last year.

Overall retail sales of lamb in Scotland increased by 3.5 per cent in value terms during the period of the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS - the red meat industry promotional body) marketing campaign (12 weeks ending November 5 2017) and the average price of Scottish-origin lamb increased by 13.2 per cent to £10.01 per kg.

The campaign saw a 27 per cent volume increase of the number of people buying lamb and shoppers were buying it more often.

This strong Scottish Origin performance was set against a declining UK market, with overall sales of lamb decreasing by over 10 per cent across the country.

The "Wham Bam Thank You Lamb" campaign, which has been running for four years, aims to change shoppers' perceptions about lamb and establish its credentials as simple, versatile and ideal ingredient for the weekly shopping lists.

The Scotland-wide, 12-week campaign included billboard, press and radio advertising as well as online and in-store activity with sampling by Scotch "Lambassadors" in selected stores across the country.

Meanwhile, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has warned the livestock feed industry is facing a lack of supply of vitamins A and E due to two recent incidents.

The first was a fire during October in a German plant that produces a key precursor to production of the two vitamins and the second was closure of a Chinese facility on environmental grounds.

George Perrott, Head of AIC's Feed Sector said: "There are reports that supplies are becoming very tight and the industry worldwide will have to manage a significant shortfall of two critical ingredients for several months. It would appear that normal volumes will not be produced until March or April 2018."

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson sold 18 prime heifers at Ayr on Tuesday to a top of £1,394.40 per head and 252p per kg to average £1,244.93 and 228.9p, while 3 prime bullocks peaked at £1,329.30 and 211p to level at £1150.07 and 210.4p.

In the rough ring 22 beef cows sold to £1,230 and 165.7p to average 122.4p, while 92 dairy cows peaked at £820 and 111.6p to level at 91.2p. A couple of bulls averaged 90p and 4 clean OTM cattle levelled at 130p.

With many farmers taking advantage of the hard frost there were only nine dairy cattle forward that topped at £1580 for a second-calved Holstein Friesian cow and averaged £1,444.