Lamb markets down all over Europe
The lamb market, much depending on seasonal sales, is sinking all over Europe due to the COVID-19 crisis. Prices and slaughter figures have dropped in almost every country, despite the fact that we are in full Easter season. In Greece, one of the EU member states renowned for its tradition in sheep breeding and consumption, lamb prices have dropped by 20% due to low domestic demand, according to AFP. Usually, 7 in 10 Greeks used to consume lamb but this year the ratio is t change dramatically due to restrictions in movement of the population and lockdown imposed in Greece amid COVID-19 pandemic.
France will reduce the lamb slaughter figures by 500,000 head this year as the domestic demand is low, exports, even to the EU and Middle East markets have dropped and New Zealand imports are competing against local products. A source from the professional association Interbev admitted that imports from New Zealand have been ordered a few months ago due to worries that local production may not be enough to meet the domestic demand. However, due to the lockdown and foodservice closure imported stocks have proved to be more than enough.
Even New Zealand is feeling now the pain of COVID-19 restrictions and slaughter figures have been halved to 150,000 lambs/week, compared to the figures reported for an ordinary Easter season (300,000/week).
In Spain, poultry has replaced lamb in orders received by butchers, says Carnemad, the professional association of Madrid's butchers and charcutieres. "The meat most demanded by consumers these days is chicken, according to all professionals. The client demands these meats in almost 50% of the visits to the establishments, the remaining 50% being divided between beef and white pork, if we talk about fresh meat.
On the contrary, lamb meat, Iberian meat and premium beef cuts are hardly sold these days, as they are considered by the establishments themselves as meats that are more destined for the HoReCa sector," it is said in a press release.
Even in the British market, despite an increase in sales of 12% reported over the first four weeks of March, lamb is not in big demand in these crisis times. "Pricing could be a challenge here, as indicated by the fact that leg steaks, the most expensive cut on average, declined by 18% in volume. However, mince volumes – the most affordable cut – rose 28% and roasting joints were also in strong growth, especially shoulder, which was up 19% in volume," mentioned the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in a market insight.
In the first week of April, the estimated kill totaled 172,000 head, the lowest weekly kill, apart from Christmas weeks, since May 2018. "Typically during these couple of weeks running up to Easter, we would expect to kill to be more like 260,000 head each week.
With prices dropping before Easter there has been much concern for the post-Easter market. Lamb sales in Britain are particularly struggling with the switch from foodservice to retail demand," commented Rebecca Wright, Red Meat Analyst, AHDB.
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