Australia: Mutton exports soar with strong demand coinciding with delayed lamb supply

Published 2024년 11월 20일

Tridge summary

Australian sheep meat abattoirs have been prioritizing mutton over lamb due to strong export demand and better margins, leading to a surge in mutton exports, particularly to China and Malaysia, while lamb exports have seen a decline. The article also highlights the varying preferences for mutton and lamb processing across different Australian states, with some states seeing an increase in lamb slaughter indices as the spring flush begins. Queensland has the highest lamb slaughter index nationally, followed by Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Western Australia, which has the highest sheep slaughter index.

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Original content

Australian sheep meat abattoirs have prioritised mutton processing over lamb since winter, as strong export demand and favourable margins for mutton coincided with delayed spring lamb supply. This trend reflects both robust mutton export markets and the slower arrival of new season lambs, allowing processors to capitalise on mutton volumes to meet global demand. October 2024 saw mutton exports soar to 27,217 tonnes, the highest October volume on record and the second-highest monthly total ever. This marked a 25 per cent increase from September and a 35pc rise over October 2023 levels, with China and Malaysia driving the surge. China imported 14,613 tonnes, setting a new monthly record and surpassing previous highs by 17pc. Malaysia followed with an impressive 169pc jump to 3164 tonnes, the second-highest volume on record for the market. In contrast, lamb exports remained more subdued. Total lamb exports for October reached 26,673 tonnes, down nearly 3pc from September and marking ...

Source: Farmweekly