The ANZ Summer Agri In Focus report forecasts a decrease in sheepmeat slaughter rates over the summer due to a drop in supply from the north and reliance on southern supply affected by weather conditions. The report also notes a significant growth in lamb prices over the past year, driven by a variable season in the south leading to a shorter supply of heavy lambs. There has been a persistent gap between lighter and heavy lambs, with concerns over feed availability limiting the number of heavy lambs. Despite high overall slaughter numbers, figures have varied state-by-state due to seasonal differences. Retail lamb prices have risen, making them competitive compared to pork and poultry. There has been growth in Australian export markets for lamb, which has contributed to demand for heavy lambs, although there was a 13% decline in lamb exports to China in the first ten months of the year. However, mutton exports to China saw a 43% increase in the same period.