Trade
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Lamb slaughter falls due to reduced flock and poor lambing rates and the national flock forecast to decline 3.7% to 65.3 mill. head, but there is a strong demand from international markets, particularly China, to support prices.
AUSTRALIA, North Sydney. Australian lamb slaughter is forecast to reach its lowest level since 2012 as poor conditions that impacted 2018 are expected to continue to affect sheepmeat supply this year, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2019 Sheep Industry Projections.
Lamb slaughter is forecast to decline 7% in 2019 to 21.2 mill. head, while sheep slaughter is predicted to be down 16%, to 8 mill. head, underpinned by substantial drops in marking rates and the culling of large numbers of ewes and ewe lambs.
The national flock is estimated to have declined by over 4 mill. head, or 6.1%, to mid-2018 and is forecast to experience a further decline of 3.7% by mid-2019 to 65.3 mill. head, as many producers are forced to continue destocking as they wait for a turnaround in the weather.
The significantly reduced breeding flock and widespread rainfall decencies, suggest fewer joinings than usual and a continuation of below-average lambing rates experienced in 2018.
Source: MLA