CHILLED lamb exports into Hong Kong and Taiwan held steady in the 12 months up to October, but sheepmeat shipments into China continued to decline, Meat and Livestock Australia has reported.

Frozen lamb exports into China were down 23 percent in the year to the end of September 2015, compared to 2014 and frozen mutton shipments fell 39pc.

The biggest falls were in frozen lamb carcase and shank, frozen mutton manufacturing and carcase. In 2015, neck has become a relatively more popular cut for frozen lamb and leg has grown for frozen mutton, MLA said.

Australian sheepmeat exports to China remain subdued as China’s domestic supply remains plentiful and the wholesale price for mutton continued its downward trajectory – from RMB53.14 per kilogram for the first week of January 2015 to RMB46.99 in mid-September.

Australia’s exports of goat meat to China were down 31pc in year-to-date, compared to 2014, largely a result of lower slaughter and production, MLA said.

Hong Kong chilled lamb shipments steady

Australian frozen lamb and frozen mutton exports to Hong Kong were both down 85 percent in the year-to-date for 2015 compared to 2014. Imported volumes were down most for breast and flap, manufacturing, carcase and neck.

On the positive side, Australia’s export of chilled lamb to Hong Kong is relatively steady, MLA said. However, New Zealand sent its first shipment of chilled lamb (1.5 tonnes swt) to Hong Kong in August at a competitive price (USD10.97 per kilogram compared to USD13.80 for Australia’s product the same month).

Hong Kong imported 33pc more goat meat from Australia in the year to September 30, compared to 2014.

Taiwan chilled lamb shipments increase 9pc

MLA said Australian chilled lamb exports to Taiwan were up 9pc in the year-to-date, especially for shoulder and rack. The year-to-date tonnage of frozen lamb exports is steady, but up for rack, breast and flap and shoulder.

The volume of frozen mutton to Taiwan was down 19pc compared to 2014, particularly for neck, leg and bone-in loin, but steady for rack and manufacturing, MLA said. Australian goat meat exports to Taiwan were down 32pc.

Source: MLA