The price of Irish-produced Easter lamb has soared to an all time high, with some consumers being asked for as much as €40 for a leg of lamb.
The price has been pushed up in the supermarket chains and some butcher's outlets by a scarcity of home-produced product and a drop in the level of lamb from New Zealand.
The lack of finished lambs is also linked to the fact that Easter has come relatively early this year and at the start of the lambing season.
The chairman of the national sheep committee of the Irish Farmers' Association, Mr Laurence Fallon, said the scarcity of supplies had driven up prices being paid to farmers.
Mr Fallon said: "Both factors of scarce supplies and domestic demand will be stronger this year than in 2003, which in turn should see prices exceed last year's levels."
A Co Tipperary butcher, Mr Pat Whelan confirmed that it had been difficult to source suitable lamb for the Easter market and prices were very high. "Because we sell only meat and all the year round, we take a hit on the Easter leg of lamb and absorb that cost," he said. Mr Whelan is deputy president of the Craft Butchers Association of Ireland.