Australian lamb exports last month were 10 per cent above the tonnage shipped in August 2013, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.

The shipped weight of 17,947 tonnes represents the eighth consecutive month in 2014 that lamb exports have surpassed the level in the corresponding month in 2013.

China and Middle East shipments declined

Despite this increase, August shipments to two of Australia’s major markets for lamb declined, dropping by one per cent into China to 3143 tonnes and by nine pc into the Middle East, to 4927 tonnes, MLA said.

“Volumes to the United States, on the other hand, surged 49pc on the previous year, reaching 3492 tonnes for the month.

“Strong demand from the European Union continued in August, attributed to tight supplies out of New Zealand, with lamb exports up 36pc year-on-year, to 970 tonnes,” MLA said.

SE Asia and Japan tonnages up

Shipments lifted by seven percent into South East Asia at 900 tonnes and by four percent into Japan at 690 tonnes, while volumes to Papua New Guinea fell 37pc to 628 tonnes.

MLA said Australian mutton exports were 11pc lower in August, compared to the same time last year, at 10,933 tonnes. This decline was largely underpinned by volumes to China declining 46pc, to 2419 tonnes, and a 16pc decline in volumes to South East Asia, at 1731 tonnes. In contrast, shipments to Australia’s primary destination for mutton, the Middle East, increased 21pc on year-ago levels, to 3423 tonnes for the month.

Source: MLA