Australian has filled its lamb and mutton quota to the European Union about a month early, MLA has reported.

By November 30, Australia’s lamb and mutton exports to the EU had fulfilled the calendar year allocated quota of 19,186 tonnes carcase weight equivalent with exports totalling 19,130 tonnes cwe, representing or 99.7 percent of the quota.

The total value of Australian lamb exports to the EU for the January to October period also rose substantially, up 36.6pc year-on-year to, totalling $94.1 million.

The strong demand for Australian lamb throughout the year, the reduction of New Zealand supply and strong demand from other markets for NZ product have underpinned the higher Australian shipments.

MLA said the UK remained the major destination in the EU, with lamb exports up 18pc for the period at 8926 tonnes. Leg and shank cuts accounted for 86pc of the shipments. Shipments to France rose 51pc year-on-year to 1994 tonnes.

In contrast, New Zealand sheepmeat exports to the EU for the January to October period declined 6.5pc on the previous year, to 151,104 tonnes cwe or 66.2pc of its total allocated quota (228,254 tonnes cwe). Shipments to the UK dropped 9pc for the period, to 74,196 tonnes cwe while for Germany and Belgium declined 19pc and 6pc respectively, the NZ Meat Board said.

In-quota shipments to the EU do not incur any duty, while out of quota shipments incur a 12.8pc + 902-3118 euro/tonne duty, depending on the product. Australia’s sheepmeat TRQ includes lamb, mutton and goatmeat. EU sheepmeat quotas are non-transferable.

Source: MLA