The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has stated that there is currently a high demand for lamb due to the approach of Easter and Ramadan.
According to IFA National Sheep chairman Sean Dennehy, Easter and Ramadan will be separated by just two weeks over the next five years until 2024. Such a calendar coincidence should stimulate high demand for lamb in the first half of the year, and this is noteworthy because the first lambs of the new season appear on the market at this time.
The IFA sheep farmer leader added that farmers should be careful and carefully select their stocks, as well as be as cautious as possible in selling ready-made mutton. With the advent of Ramadan in early May, demand should remain high.
The chairman of the Association of Irish Farmers also criticized some meat processing enterprises, which, he said, tried to lower prices and control trade at this critical time of the year.
The beginning of the season at sales prices will be very tough, price fluctuations are expected to range from 6.60 to 6.80 euros / kg per 1 kg; last year, prices for young lamb were 7.20 euros per kilogram.
According to IFA, the Irish sheep sector is a very important agricultural enterprise with 35,000 farmers and a productivity of 390 million euros.
