Search our website enhanced by Google.
August sees GB lamb prices return to 2021 levels
Friday, 2 September 2022
GB new season lamb prices were relatively steady, but weakening, through August following the sharp declines seen through July. This is despite slightly lower throughputs in the period. It is noticeable that the seasonal dip began a month later than usually expected this year, likely influenced by global supplies remaining tight whilst demand has been recovering.
Liveweight SQQ lamb prices
GB liveweight prices continued to move down through August, although at a slower rate than in the previous 4-week period. The average price in the week ending 31 August was 235.65p/kg, 8p lower than at the beginning of the 4-week period (w/e 3 August). For the majority of August, prices remained above year earlier levels, but then dipped below last year’s price at the final week by just over 1p. August prices remained around 40p above the 5-year average.
Throughputs at auction markets were estimated at 98,000 head for the week ending 31 August, 10% down on the week previous and a 6% drop from a year ago. Total estimated throughputs in the four weeks to the end of August reached 412,400 head, down 16% from the previous 4-week period and 4% lower than the same period in 2021.
Deadweight SQQ lamb prices
GB deadweight prices for new season lamb also trended lower through August, although there was a slight jump in the second week (w/e 13 August). In the week ending 27 August, the average price fell to 536.2p/kg, just shy of 7p on the week.
Overall, prices in August lost just over 38p and remain almost 6p above where they were this time last year and more than 90p above the 5-year average. As with liveweight prices, there is a seasonal dip over the summer and autumn months, but it is noticeable that this has been slower and later in 2022 than in previous years.
Estimated slaughter throughputs increased steadily in the four weeks to 27 August but were 8% lower (67,700 head) lower in total than in the previous 4-week period. The drop was due to low slaughterings in the first week, when estimated throughputs were only 181,500 head, around 18% below the weekly average for this time of year.
In the week ending 27 August, throughputs were estimated at 234,600 head, an 8% (18,300 head) increase on the previous week. This brings estimated lamb slaughter for the year to date (Jan-Aug) to 7.24million head, 4% ahead of 2021 but 4% below the 5-year average.
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.