The supply of sheep for slaughter is virtually non-existent. Market prices continue to face upward pressure, with demand not particularly strong but sufficient to force buyers to increase their bids. Lambs are trading around US$ 6.15/kg, while ewes are quoted at US$ 5.10-5.15/kg.
With only two plants showing significant sheep slaughter activity, the number of sheep processed declined for the second consecutive week. INAC reported that 4,600 sheep were slaughtered in the week ended July 4, of which 3,170 (69%) were lambs.
The only plants with significant sheep slaughter were Oferan (2,225 head) and Las Piedras (2,057).
During the first half of the year, only 208,533 sheep were slaughtered, 91,000 fewer (-30.4%) than in the same period last year and more than 500,000 head below the peak reached during the sheep liquidation cycle in 2023.
