Favourable weather through the winter and spring lambing season have raised expectations, says sector director Nick Allen.
He says after the losses and bad weather of winter 2012 and spring 2013 made life difficult for sheep and beef farmers, the fortunes for summer 2014 are in dramatic contrast.
And the forecasts are for high quality lambs coming forward to supply quality product to the market while offering good value for money for consumers, he adds.
‘’All the indicators [point to] a good lambing season for sheep farmers in terms of healthy lambs born,” says Allen. “The weather has been excellent for grass growth so we can expect some of the best quality home-produced lamb seen on the shelves for years.
“Consumers should take the opportunity to buy a quality product and get exceptional value for money.”
Unlike their beef counterparts, sheep farmers expect good returns. Allen says the difficulties now seen in the beef market are not expected in the sheep trade because of the different market dynamics.
Importantly, producers should market their lambs at the right time – when they hit the spec processors are looking for, he says.
“We are a major player in the international trade of sheepmeat and there remains strong demand for our product at a time when other sheepmeat exporters are not at the peak of their production.
“This gives us plenty of opportunities to sell our sheep meat. Consumers tell us they love lamb for its great taste and tenderness so we would expect to see continued robust demand domestically, and quality lamb available at a competitive price during the next few months.”
Lamb sales are up 9% on the past few years. Eblex has television advertising due to screen in September. And an inexpensive Indian dish – keema – will encourage more adventurous cooking, and will position lamb as the meat to go with spices.
Marketing projects in key markets abroad, notably France, are also helping to stimulate demand for UK lamb.
