Search our website enhanced by Google.
GB lamb prices ease in October
Friday, 28 October 2022
GB new season lamb prices continued to ease in October following seasonal trends. Throughputs have picked up over the latest four-week period, but remain down compared to numbers seen during the same period a year ago.
Liveweight
GB liveweight SQQ prices continued to move downward in October. The average new season lamb price in the week ending 26 October was 223.19p/kg, 4.7p lower than the average price for the week ending 28 September. Prices have also dipped below where they stood this time last year (-16.5p) but still sit above the 5-year average by almost 35p.
Throughputs at GB auction markets were estimated at 432,900 head for the four-weeks ending 26 October, up 2% (8,000 head) on the previous four-week period, but 7% (34,900 head) behind numbers seen for the same time last year.
For the year to date, throughputs (including both NSL and OSL) reached 4.49 million head, an increase of 1% (48,000 head) on 2021 but still 2% (94,800 head) behind the 5-year average.
Cull ewe prices fell £5 over the four-week period to average £67.40/head in the week ending 22 October. Throughputs totalled 203,900 head, a 1% (1,300 head) decrease compared to the previous four weeks, however numbers were 9% (16,600 head) higher than this time last year.
Deadweight
GB deadweight SQQ prices showed slightly more stability. In the week ending 22 October, the average NSL SQQ price sat at 523.3p/kg, easing only 1.5p compared to the week ending 24 September. Deadweight prices have dipped below those seen at this time last year (-6.6p in the latest week) however, they are still almost £1 above the 5-year average.
Overall, estimated slaughter for the four weeks to 22 October increased to 996,600 head, up 24% (190,600 head) compared to the previous four-week period, but in line with numbers seen this time last year. September kill was interrupted by the additional bank holiday following the death of the Queen.
Estimated lamb slaughter for the year to date (Jan-Oct) now stands at 9.06 million head, 2% (204,000 head) ahead of the same period in 2021 but 6% (597,200 head) 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.