From today, Sainsburys supermarkets will begin stocking 2013-born outdoor reared lamb.
The start of the outdoor season has come three weeks later than normal because of poor weather conditions in 2012 and the start of 2013.
Before this, lambs destined for Sainsbury’s shelves had been born indoors to protect them, but are now moving outdoors to graze on pastures as the weather improves.
All of the lamb that the retailer stocks is from farmers that are part of the Sainsbury’s Lamb Development Group, which previously received a premium of 60p per kg to support them during a tough winter.
Bosses at the firm have also seen a rise in the number of lamb hearts sold, with numbers up 60 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 year-on-year.
The rise is being attributed to the poor economic climate in the UK, with hearts often part of supermarkets’ special offers.
Andrew McTeare, Sainsbury’s meat and fish counter buyer, said: “It’s been a tough season for our lamb farmers but through the direct relationship we have, we continue to offer new season British lamb at its best.”
