W51: Weekly Lamb & Mutton Update

New Zealand

Farmers Suffocated by the Tax Plan for Cow Burps and Farts (Dec 21)

New Zealand intends to set up the first tax on methane and nitrous oxide emissions in the world, to control the environmental footprint of its 6M cows and 26M sheep. Methane is less abundant and does not stay in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide, but it is a much more powerful factor in climate change. This chemical compound is responsible for around 30% of global warming since the Industrial Revolution, scientists estimate, although it only accounts for a fraction of the greenhouse gas composition. According to the first version of this plan, farmers will have to pay according to the emissions of their animals, which sent New Zealand's farming community into a frenzy and sparked protests in late October.

Emissions Pricing Report Shows Progress (Dec 23)

New Zealand Beef and Lamb sector indicates that Section 215 about agricultural emissions pricing report and accompanying commentary, released by the Government on December 23 is a step forward, but there is still significant work to be done on critical details before sheep and beef farmers can feel confident in the final agricultural emissions pricing system. It confirms that the Government has agreed to a farm-level split gas levy rather than agriculture entering the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

United Kingdom

UK Lamb Exports Increase Whilst Imports Ease (Dec 21)

Imports of fresh and frozen lamb totaled 2.4K MT in October, a 36.9% (1.4K MT) decrease compared to September. This decrease is largely due to a seasonal drop in imports from New Zealand. In October, just under 900 MT of lamb was imported from New Zealand, which is more than 1.7K MT less than the previous month. The drop in imports during October has been seen over the last few years, with imports in 2021 and 2022 averaging 902 MT.

Uplift in Throughput Continues to Drive Sheep Meat Production (Dec 21)

According to the latest Defra figures, UK sheep meat production in November totaled 24.4K MT, up marginally (+0.4%) compared to October production figures. However, compared with last November, production is back 3.9% (1K MT). Carcass weights averaged 19.7kg for the month, back 0.2kg in October, and 0.3kg down in November last year.

Ireland

The Number of Cattle and Sheep Slaughtered in Ireland Rose in November (Dec 20)

The number of cattle and sheep slaughtered during November rose according to the latest statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). Figures released on December 20, showed that the number of cattle slaughtered last month increased by 4.5% compared with the corresponding results for November 2021. The number of sheep slaughtered also increased by 9.8% in November 2022 compared to sheep slaughterings in November 2021.

AHI Welcomes Extension of Parasite Control Strategy to All Farmers (Dec 20)

Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has welcomed the extension of the Parasite Control Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) into 2023. Minister of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Charlie McConalogue confirmed on December 16, that the control strategy for cattle and sheep would be rolled out again in the new year.

Sheep and Goat Census Forms Issued to 48K Farmers (Dec 21)

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on December 21 issued sheep and goat census forms to 48K farmers. Similar to previous years, the department has selected December 31 as the 2022 census date. Farmers are being reminded that completing and returning the forms is a legal obligation. Failing to complete the document or late submissions could result in farmers being ineligible for certain DAFM schemes.

Spain

Spanish Board Promotes the Consumption of Andalusian Lamb for Christmas (Dec 22)

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Carmen Crespo, has given the go-ahead to the campaign launched by the Ministry to promote the consumption of Andalusian lamb this Christmas. Crespo has valued the importance of a sector, such as sheep, which has experienced difficult times as a result of the rise in production costs, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, and the drought.

Chile

Lamb Meat Registers Slow Sales After Rise in Prices in the Province of Osorno (Dec 21)

For the end of 2022 celebrations, the consumption of lamb meat is popular in various parts of Chile. But, this product has suffered sharp increases in its prices, given the high production costs involved. As a consequence, according to the Austral de Osorno, to date, there is a low demand, where the sheep unit costs USD 120K.

China

Price for Uruguayan Lamb During W50 After the Reactivation of the Sheep Market in China (Dec 19)

During W50, similar to the beef market, the sheep market in China has shown a reactivation with sales of lamb carcasses from 9 to 24kg from Uruguay at a range of USD 4-4.2K/ton CFR.

Qinghai Hainan Prefecture Overfulfilled the Annual Livestock Slaughter Task (Dec 21)

Since the beginning of 2022, Hainan Prefecture has actively responded to the adverse effects of the new crown epidemic and various types of disastrous weather adopted practical and effective work measures, coordinated and promoted the work of animal husbandry, tried every means to speed up the slaughter of cattle and sheep, and went all out to ensure income, growth, and to protect the people's livelihood, the annual task of slaughtering cattle and sheep was completed.

Tanzania

Tanzanian Meat Exports Reached 1,423MT, up 125% MoM in November (Dec 20)

Tanzania benefited from the Fifa World Cup finals in Qatar due to increased meat exports to the Gulf state (Qatar) during the month-long football extravaganza. In November 2022, Tanzania’s meat exports reached 1,423MT, an increase of 125% from the 632MT that were exported in October, according to the Tanzania Meat Board (TMB). Goat meat is the leading export product, accounting for about 74% of meat exports at 1,047MT, followed by mutton (343MT), beef (32MT), chicken (0.67MT), and pork (0.2MT). 37% of the meat that Tanzania exported in November went to Qatar, according to TMB.

Kazakhstan

The Export of Bulls and Rams Outside of Kazakhstan Is Limited Until March 1, 2023 (Dec 22)

The Ministry of Agriculture has published an order "On some issues of the export of farm animals from the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan", which introduces quotas for the export of bulls and rams. It will be Introduced, by March 1, 2023, quantitative restrictions (quotas): on the export from the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan to third countries and the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union of bulls (code of the commodity nomenclature of foreign economic activity of the Eurasian Economic Union 0102) in the amount of 60K MT.

Hungary

Keleméri Lamb Has Received EU Geographical Indication Protection (Dec 22)

According to the announcement, geographical protection can only apply to lamb from Ile-de-France or Suffolk sires and kept and raised from selection to slaughter within the administrative boundaries of the municipality of Kelemér. The ewes cannot be animals of the racka, cikta, or cigaja breeds. The age of the lambs at the time of slaughter is no more than 120 days, and their live body weight cannot exceed 40 kg. It was highlighted that the specific quality characteristics of Keleméri lamb are based on the relationship with the geographical area.

Ukraine

Lamb Export Brought in USD 1M in 11 Months (Dec 21)

In 11 months of 2022, Ukraine exported 174 MT of lamb and goat meat. This is 2.9 times more than in the same period last year. This is evidenced by the data of the State Customs Service. In monetary terms, exports also increased 2.9 times compared to the same period in 2021, to USD 1M. The main buyers of Ukrainian lamb and goat meat during January-November were UAE (75.4%), Oman (17.4%), and Kuwait (6.2%).

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Meat Exports Earned USD 41M in the Last 5 Months of the 2022 Season (Dec 20)

The Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) announced that over USD 41M was earned from 5.9K MT of meat products (beef, lamb, and chicken) exported during the last five months. The Authority indicated that it is working to supply 28K MT of meat products to the foreign market in the current fiscal year of 2022 with the target of collecting more than USD 150M in the process. Ethiopia exports meat products primarily to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, but other efforts are being made to send meat products to China, Indonesia, and European countries.