The sheepmeat market remains very firm, with prices gradually rising. Lambs are being paid around US$ 5.65 per kilo carcass weight —clearly above the steer price, a difference not seen in quite some time. For mutton, prices are around US$ 4.80 per kilo.
In general, buyers are paying a few cents above the reference price published by the Livestock Consignors’ Association for the category at the week of shipment. A market operator added that some plants have increased the maximum carcass weight threshold for discounts from 24 to 25 kilos.
Sheep slaughter kept increasing last week. INAC reported 29,410 head processed in the week ending November 1, 1,240 more than the previous week and over 7,000 (+32%) above the same week last year. Lambs totaled 17,321, 59% of the total.
Over the past two weeks, sheep slaughter has exceeded year-ago levels, reversing seven straight weeks of lower activity.
The most active plants were Las Piedras (11,091), San Jacinto (10,989), and Oferan (4,685).
