Search our website enhanced by Google.
Lamb production rises on previous month but remains low
Thursday, 15 April 2021
By Charlie Reeve
March lamb kill was down marginally on last year’s levels by 1% to total 916,000 head. Total lamb kill was however up by 19% (149,000 head) on the previous month. Overall lamb slaughterings during Q1 2021 dropped by 9% (262,00 head) year-on-year.
The tight supply of lambs is supporting domestic lamb prices, which remain high. For the week ending 10 April, the deadweight SQQ reached 646p/kg. High prices and low supply may be influencing low export volumes recorded in February, alongside the effects of leaving the EU.
Lamb throughput is likely to rise as we approach the summer months as the new season lamb crop begins to come forward, based on trends from previous years. This increase in supply may put pressure on the current high prices being seen.
Average carcase weights during March jumped up by 0.7kg compared to both the previous month and March last year, to now average 21kg. This is the first time average carcase weights have reached the 21kg mark since April 2019.
The adult sheep kill was also much higher than in February at 110,600 head, but this was still nearly 17% below year earlier levels. A low cull kill has been reported since last summer, though this may be partly influenced by greater use of FSA data in Defra’s statistics during the Covid-19 pandemic, which may affect how throughputs are classified.
Total sheep meat production totalled 22,000 tonnes during March, up by 4,000 tonnes on the previous month and in line with March 2020 levels.
Sign up for regular updates
You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.
While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.
All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.