The slaughter lamb market in April

Supply decreased noticeably

The domestic supply of slaughter lambs was very limited last month. This contrasted with brisk demand at the wholesale meat markets, particularly during Holy Week; existing stocks could be completely reduced. Buyers had to invest more for good qualities, which were comparatively scarce, and for preferred cuts. Overall, however, price movements remained within comparatively narrow limits. In the second half of the month, interest in lamb waned, with price drops here and there.

In April, producers received an average of EUR 4,04 per kilogram of slaughter weight for lambs billed at a flat rate, which was three cents more than in the previous month. However, the comparable previous year's revenues were still missed by seven cents. The notifiable slaughterhouses accounted for around 1.390 lambs and sheep per week, partly on a flat-rate basis, partly according to commercial grades; that was almost 13 percent less than in the previous month. The offer from April 2003 was even undercut by around a fifth.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]