AUSTRALIAN lamb and mutton exporters have fulfilled the allocated quota into the European Union early for the second consecutive year, Meat and Livestock Australia has reported.

Australia’s sheep meat calendar quota into the EU is 19,186 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) and with exports at November 30 totalling 18,964 tonnes, or 99 percent of the quota, according to Department of Agriculture figures.

Australia is the only country to have filled its EU quota in 2013, 2014 and 2015, yet its access remains limited to only 6.7pc of the total EU sheep meat quota, MLA said.

Overall, Australian sheep meat exports to the EU during the January to November 2015 period were steady year-on-year.

Interestingly, while bone-in shipments declined 16pc for the period, the rise in bone-out products (up 44pc) offset the decline on total exports, MLA said. The UK remained the major destination for Australian sheep meat in the EU, accounting for 86pc of total exports, and with leg and shanks combined accounting for 78pc.

New Zealand sheepmeat exports to the EU increased year-on-year for the January to October period, totalling 163,512 tonnes, or 71.6pc of its total allocated quota (228,254 tonnes).

Source: MLA