Lamb busts through 20,000t mark

Source: Stock Journal; Published: Wednesday, 4 June 2014

AUSTRALIAN lamb exports in May surpassed the 20,000 tonne mark for the third time on record – dominated by shipments to the United States and China.

Meat and Livestock Australia chief economist Tim McRae said the 20,528t (shipped weight) was up 3 per cent year-on-year and 27pc higher than the five-year average.

This historically high level is now the second highest monthly lamb export volume on record, after October 2013.

Mr McRae said May shipments were largely underpinned by a 9pc year-on-year increase to China (3854t) and a 12pc year-on-year increase to the US (3659t).

Volumes to the UK experienced a 50pc increase in May compared to last year, at 1062t, while demand from Japan continued to strengthen with exports up 20pc year-on-year, at 1165t.

Although smaller export markets, Mr McRae said Korea and Canada had both shown considerable growth in demand for Australian lamb over the past five years.

He said shipments to Korea during May have not only increased 92pc year-on-year, but tripled the five-year average, at 648t.

Volumes to Canada totalled 588t during the month – 23pc higher than the corresponding month last year, and 57pc higher than the five-year average for May.

On the other hand, Mr McRae said lamb shipments to the Middle East and South East Asia during May experienced 12pc and 20pc year-on-year declines, to 5241t and 950t, respectively.

Australian mutton exports during May came to 13,059t – down 23pc year-on-year.

Volumes to the Middle East (3711t) and China (3309t) were back 14pc and 42pc, respectively, while shipments to South East Asia (2262t) lifted 12pc on the corresponding month last year.