January figures show improved trading conditions at 10pc, but processors contend with weaker input cost relief and mixed global demand. See the full market outlook.
원본 콘텐츠
The sheepmeat processor trading conditions (SPTC) model showed a modest improvement in January, but the broader trend remains one of significantly tighter margins compared to the same period last year. The January SPTC came in at 10 per cent, lifting from a revised December figure of 4.5pc, although still well below the January 2025 level of 36pc. The downward revision to December from 8pc to 4.5pc highlights the sensitivity of the model to export value adjustments and reinforces that processor margins at the end of 2025 were weaker than initially estimated. While the lift into January suggests some improvement in operating conditions, the comparison to last year makes it clear that processors are operating in a far more constrained margin environment. On the livestock procurement side, price movements during January were relatively mixed , offering only limited relief to processors. Heavy lamb prices eased by 2.2pc over the month, while light lambs declined by 0.5pc, providing ...