AUSTRALIA’S export lamb trade was strong in July, despite the $A rising 4 percent year-on-year to average US78 cents for the month.

Meat & Livestock Australia said the volume of lamb that left Australian shores in July was 28pc higher than the same time last year, and 10pc above the five-year average – at 19,219 tonnes.

The latest DAWR data brought the calendar year-to-date total to 142,914 tonnes. This meant that, seven months into the year, Australian lamb exports are tracking 1pc higher than year-ago levels, MLA said.

MLA said a very dry start to winter across many key supply regions led to higher stock turn-off than the same time last year and greater availability of lamb for export. Eastern states lamb slaughter averaged almost 327,000 head per week during July, which is an 11pc increase year-on-year.

The standout market for the month was the United States, where Australian lamb shipments jumped 57pc year-on-year, to 4,679 tonnes. The volume increase was spread across a range of cuts – leg, shoulder, carcase, rack and short loins.

MLA said volumes to many of Australia’s other key lamb export destinations also registered growth in July, compared to last year:

• China lifted 40pc to 3657 tonnes
• The Middle East lifted 11pc to 4601 tonnes – underpinned largely by increased volumes to Jordan
• Papua New Guinea lifted 2pc to 1164 tonnes
• Korea lifted 43pc to 819 tonnes
• Canada lifted 47pc to 776 tonnes

MLS said lamb shipments to Japan declined 4pc to 707 tonnes and fell by 13pc to 449 tonnes to the European Union.

For a more detailed trade summary, please visit MLA’s Data and Insights page . In-depth analysis of the situation and outlook for the sheep industry can be found in the August Sheep Projections Update. 

Source: MLA.