Published in Market Analysis
European Lamb Prices Hit Record Highs as Production Falls
Irish and UK lamb prices are at the highest levels ever recorded for this time of year, as EU sheepmeat production falls 5% in 2026 and continental buyers compete for limited supply.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
Lamb prices in Ireland and the United Kingdom have reached the highest levels ever recorded for this time of year. The driver is simple: fewer sheep are being raised across Europe, while demand from buyers on the continent keeps climbing.
Where Prices Stand Today
In Ireland, factories are offering up to €9.90 per kilogram for quality-assured spring lambs. Irish Country Meats and Kildare Chilling are both at a €9.70/kg base plus a €0.20/kg quality bonus. Kepak is offering €9.55/kg base plus €0.15/kg for quality lambs, bringing its effective price to €9.70/kg.
Top-spec lambs moving in large groups are commanding even more. Some Irish processors have paid up to €10.10/kg for well-presented lots.
In Britain, the numbers are just as striking. The UK deadweight lamb price hit 938 pence per kilogram in the week ending June 13. That is 128 pence above the previous record set in 2024. When converted, British prices are running above €10.80/kg at current exchange rates.
Seasonal Norms Are Not Applying
Late June typically brings lower lamb prices. Old-season hoggets are finishing, and fresh new-season supplies have not yet filled the gap. That usual seasonal price drop has not happened this year. Factories across Ireland are holding offers firm, competing against an active mart trade to secure stock.
The Reason Behind the Surge: Fewer Sheep Across Europe
The EU sheep flock has been shrinking for several years. In 2026, EU sheepmeat production is forecast to fall by around 5% compared to the previous year. That is a significant drop in a single season.
Key factors behind the decline include:
Lower sheep numbers in France, Spain, and other major EU-producing countries
Rising input costs pushing some smaller producers out of the market
Aging farm populations in many regions leading to flock reductions
EU consumer demand for lamb has not reduced to match the supply drop
As local production falls, European buyers are importing more. The UK and Ireland are the closest and most cost-competitive suppliers available.
Export Demand Is Pulling Prices Up
UK sheepmeat exports are now back at pre-Brexit volumes. France and Belgium remain the top destinations, and shipments to both countries have been growing in 2026. From Ireland, exports of live sheep to Britain have more than doubled compared to the same period last year, with over 6,665 head shipped in a single recent week.
A few key export dynamics worth noting:
France is the single largest market for UK and Irish sheepmeat exports
Belgium has emerged as an increasingly important buyer
US demand for lamb has grown 6% in the past year, with prices up 50%; the UK-US market is now worth around GBP 37 million
Northern Irish processors are shipping more lambs to British factories to capture higher deadweight prices
The US angle is still developing, but it adds another layer of demand pressure that traders are starting to watch closely.
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
For buyers sourcing European or British lamb, prices are not likely to fall sharply in the near term. Supply is tight, new-season lambs are still building in numbers, and continental demand is not easing.
For sellers and producers, the current market rewards quality. Well-presented, quality-assured lambs are achieving top-of-market prices. Average lots face more competition for factory space.
For traders watching the broader market, the structural decline in EU sheep numbers is a multi-year trend. Unless EU flocks start rebuilding, import reliance on UK and Irish lamb will likely continue to support elevated prices into the second half of 2026.