Australian sheepmeat exports report new increase
MLA says that the record was underpinned by the lamb component. In May, lamb exports reached 29,400 tonnes swt, while mutton exports totalled 13,800 tonnes swt, remaining consistent with previous months this year.
The record month brought year-to-date lamb exports to 117,000 tonnes swt, an increase of 14% on 2017 levels. This year-to-May total is the largest ever start to the year and has been driven by growth in all key destinations Middle East, China and the US.
"A very dry year so far in key supply regions has seen slaughter levels tracking higher year-on-year. For the calendar year-to-April, lamb slaughter has lifted 8%, at 7.75 million head; production has followed the trend, also increasing by the aforementioned margin. Exports continue to benefit from the lift in supply but also reflect robust global demand for sheepmeat. In addition, further declines for the Australian dollar were sustained throughout May – as has been the case since the end of January – supporting exports," MLA says in a statement.
May year-to-date lamb exports:
Middle East, up 30%, to 32,200 tonnes swt
China, up 10%, to 23,300 tonnes swt
US, up 8%, to 23,800 tonnes swt
May year-to-date mutton exports:
Middle East, down 10%, to 20,100 tonnes swt
China, up 92%, to 14,600 tonnes swt
US, down 9%, to 6,800 tonnes swt
Malaysia, up 68%, to 7,200 tonnes swt
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