However, demand has remained reasonably strong for the reduced supply, which has allowed for acceptable clearances.

Lightweight carcase sales sold from 440¢ to 460¢, while the medium weights sold from 410¢ to 440¢ – averaging 430¢/kg cwt. The heavy and extra heavy weight carcases sold to a slightly dearer trend, with heavy product selling between 380¢ and 410¢, while extra heavyweights sold between 340¢ and 360¢, averaging 400¢ and 350¢/kg cwt, respectively.

Rates on the whole carcase and broken sales sold to a dearer trend, up by around 10¢/kg cwt on the previous week.

Carton sales struggled early on last week, but managed a turnaround later in the week, to finish mainly firm.

There was the odd sale of excellent quality grain fed and MSA graded beef that managed to sell to a dearer trend.

Lamb at the Sydney wholesale market has been of mixed quality, with the well finished categories hard to find, as the last of the old season lambs enter the market.

Light weight 2 score lambs sold between 450¢ and 570¢, averaging 530¢, while the 3 score medium weight lambs sold between 540¢ and 660¢, with most sales around 620¢/kg cwt.

Trade weight 3 score lambs made between 520¢ and 640¢, averaging 610¢, which was 10¢/ kg cheaper than the previous week.

Heavyweight 4 score lambs followed the same trend, back 10¢ across the board on the previous week, selling between 510¢ and 610¢/kg cwt.

For broken product, demand was a little weaker, with the exception of forequarters which provided the best interest and sold to firm levels.

The majority of the other broken grades sold to a cheaper trend, down 10¢/kg cwt.