Lamb prices reached an all-time high in 2015. The monthly average price graphs have been updated for lambs <79pounds, 80-94pounds, 95-109pounds and 110+ pounds. As shown in Figure 1, the monthly average price for 80 -94 lb lambs has been much higher in the first four months of 2015 than ever before. In this early part of the year price seems to be following a similar pattern to average price in 2011 and 2012. A similar trend can be seen in each of the price graphs in Figures 1 – 4.
Figure 1. 5 Year Average Market Price by Month 80 – 94 lb Lambs
In November of 2014, prices decreased for the heavier lamb categories after the high experienced in October for the Eid ul-Adha holiday. The monthly price graphs are shown for the 95-109 pound lambs in Figure 2 and the 110+ pound lambs in Figure 3. The price for both categories recovered in December 2014 with a significant junp in price in January 2015.
Figure 2. 5 Year Average Market Price by Month 95-109 lb Lambs
Figure 3. 5 Year Average Market Price by Month 110+ lb Lambs
As seen in Figure 4, the price of lambs weighing 79 pounds or less also recovered in December 2014 with a significant increase in January 2015.
Figure 4. 5 Year Average Market Price by Month Lambs 79 lbs or Less
Source: The prices on these graphs are weighted average prices for Ontario live market auctions as reported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Red Meat Information on May 7, 2015.
