United Kingdom-English lambs preferred in France now the price is right.

Irish sheep meat exports fell by around 15% last year as the weak value of sterling made British meat more competitive on domestic and other European markets.

According to the Irish food board, Bord Bia, Ireland exported some 41,500t of sheep meat in 2008 (see below) and estimates for this year suggest the figure could fall again to nearer 40,000t as sterling remains weak.

Irish sheep meat supplies(’000t) 2006 2007 2008 (estimated)

Production 71.5 66.5 58.0

Exports 54.0 49.0 41.5

Consumption 20.5 20.5 19.5

Source: Bord Bia

There was a particularly sharp fall in exports to France, as buyers there turned to more competitively-priced British sheep meat, the latest AHDB Meat Services market report said.

A 13% decline in Irish production was also thought to be behind the fall in the country’s exports - lamb supplies going into export plants were 12% lower than 2007 and there was a 9% reduction in cull ewe disposals

Consumption also fell by an estimated 5% in 2008.