The market is showing no signs of slowing for the Christmas break, according to MLA, with both yardings and prices rising further this week.

Lamb numbers through MLA’s NLRS reported saleyards were 11pc higher than a year earlier, with Victorian throughput 18pc higher.

Despite the large numbers, national lamb price averages rose a further 5-10pc, to be around 40pc higher than in 2007.

The highest per kg prices were for heavy export lambs, which averaged 416¢/kg cwt (almost 50pc higher than last year), reflecting current and expected tight supplies of this category and the low $A.

MLA indicators were:

• Restocker lambs averaged 372¢, a 16¢/kg cwt gain from last week.

• Light lamb was up 24¢, to 364¢.

• Merino lambs lifted 25¢ from last week, to settle at 308¢/kg cwt.

• Trade lambs jumped 27¢, to end at 404¢.

• Heavy export lambs rose 21¢, to 416¢/kg cwt.

• Mutton lifted 5¢, to finish at 181¢/kg cwt.

In Victoria, at Hamilton’s Wednesday sale, there was a larger yarding than what was seen on Monday.

Trade lambs were $5 to $6 dearer and heavy lambs sold $5 to $10/head higher.

Prices fluctuated with the very lightweights dearest selling around 500¢/kg cwt.

Lightweight lambs made from $54 to $65 to average 390¢/kg cwt.

Trade lambs sold from $75 to $110 to average 430¢, with some averaging 480¢/kg cwt.

Heavy lambs ranged from $96 to $130/head, to average 415¢ to 495¢/kg cwt.