Pubs are being advised to remove lamb from the main menu and offer it on the specials board this Easter, with the cost of the meat high due to tight supply.
Deadweight lamb prices have increased by more than 20 percent during the past nine weeks, with nine consecutive weekly price hikes, according to Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC)/Meat Promotion Wales.
The average price of lamb hit £7.90/kg last week, representing an increase of £1.74 since the first week of 2024, said the levy board.
This figure exceeded the highest price recorded last year of around £7.43/kg last May and was notably higher than historical averages by some 50 percent, HCC added.
Lynx Purchasing managing director Rachel Dobson said guests will view lamb as a premium treat this Easter because of the hefty price tag that will come with it.
She said: “Lamb prices are generally high due to strong global demand.
“Australia and New Zealand, which have traditionally supplied significant amounts of lamb to the UK, have now opened up new markets, in Asia in particular.
“UK suppliers had cut back production last year due to higher costs and even though they can now get better prices, it takes time to increase the number of lambs being reared.”
The time of year, with seasonal religious festivals taking place where lamb is traditionally eaten, has also contributed to the escalating prices, said Glesni Phillips, HCC’s intelligence, analysis and business insight executive.
She explained: “Peak consumption of lamb is usually seen during religious festivals, and this year both Easter and Ramadan occur in March.
“These events, coupled with both the UK and Welsh sheep breeding flocks being in decline, mean the supply of lambs coming on to the market at the moment is tight when compared to year-earlier levels and current demand levels.”
At supermarket giant Asda, a tender lamb leg, which typically weighs 2.15kg, is priced at £24.72 – up from £21.50 this time last year, a 15 percent price hike.
Alternatively, 300g of diced lamb leg at Tesco will set you back £5.85 – a huge 17 percent increase on last year’s £5 price tag.
M&S’s Select Farms boneless basted lamb leg joint (450g) costs £11.50, up by 9.5 percent to £10.50 when compared with March 2023, according to Trolley.co.uk.
It comes as Waitrose this week announced a raft of offers on Easter staples, including up to a third off whole and half legs of British lamb and 25 percent off selected roasting joints.
All supermarkets mentioned have been contacted for comment.
