THE American Lamb Board has recognised the role imported product from Australia and New Zealand plays in meeting domestic demand, in a recent market update.

“Lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand have increased modestly to help meet demand, while total lamb and mutton imports are approximately 9 percent higher than one year ago,” the lamb board has said in a media release derived from the American Sheep Industry Association’s latest quarterly market update.

The ALB statement said despite reduced supplies of domestically-produced lamb, consumer demand for lamb has remained steady.

The comment on the role of lamb imports has come as the US International Trade Commission continues its global safeguard mechanism investigation into whether imported product has damaged US industry.

The board said market prices have reached some of the strongest levels seen in recent years.

“During the first half of 2026, feeder lamb prices averaged $380 per hundredweight—40pc higher than the same period last year.

“Lightweight slaughter lamb prices increased 27pc, while negotiated slaughter lamb prices climbed nearly 30% since the beginning of the year.”

The lamb board said the National Lamb Cutout Value also strengthened significantly, averaging more than $651 per hundredweight during the first six months of the year.

The U.S. lamb industry continues to demonstrate resilience in 2026, with strong live lamb and lamb meat prices supported by tight supplies and steady consumer demand, the board said.

“While sheep producers continue to face significant challenges from widespread drought, higher production costs, and broader economic uncertainty, the lamb market has remained remarkably strong through the first half of the year.”

Federally inspected sheep and lamb slaughter through June declined nearly 3pc compared to the same period in 2025, while lighter average dressed weights have reduced overall lamb production by an estimated 8pc, the board said. Strong market prices and drought conditions have encouraged producers to market lighter-weight lambs, contributing to lower production volumes.

American Lamb Board chairman David Fisher said drought continues to challenge sheep producers across the country, but the resilience of the industry has been remarkable.

“Strong consumer demand and historically favorable market prices are providing important opportunities for producers.

“While we remain mindful of rising input costs and ongoing weather concerns, these market conditions reinforce the value consumers place on American lamb and the dedication of the producers who raise it.”

The board said drought remains one of the industry’s greatest concerns with about 45pc of the US sheep inventory currently located in drought-affected areas, and nearly 40pc of US pastures rated in poor to very poor condition. Reduced forage availability and higher feed costs continue to pressure producers across many sheep-producing regions, the ALB said.

The lamb board said the USDA Livestock Marketing Information Center forecasts strong live lamb and lamb meat prices through the remainder of 2026, supported by lower sheep numbers and constrained lamb production.

“However, inflation, higher input costs, and continued pressure on consumer spending remain important factors to watch. Even with these challenges, the outlook suggests the U.S. lamb industry is well positioned to benefit from continued consumer demand and historically strong market fundamentals.”

Source: American Lamb Board.