Australian lamb exports were strong in October, registering the highest monthly lamb export volume on record. Total lamb shipments reached 20,825 tonnes swt, up 12% year-on-year, underpinned by high lamb turnoff and slaughter levels throughout the month. The Middle East remained Australia’s largest lamb export market, accounting for 25% of all lamb exports, totaling 5,113 tonnes swt – up 11% month-on-month, although back slightly on the same period last year.
China continued to demand more Australian lamb, providing strong competition for most export markets. Shipments to China reached new highs in October, rising by 20% on the previous month, to 4,030 tonnes swt – 1,337 tonnes more than the same month last year. Improved demand from the US resulted in exports increasing 19% year-on-year, to 4,206 tonnes swt – the highest monthly volume since February 2009. In contrast, shipments to the EU experienced a slight year-on-year decrease, to 1,631 tonnes swt.
South-East Asia continued to demonstrate its potential as a developing export market for Australian lamb, with shipments in October increasing 13% year-on-year to 1,119 tonnes swt – 79% greater than the five-year average. This article was written by the Meat and Livestock Australia. See more at www.mla.com.au
