Exports find support in September

Lamb volumes are historically strong, while Mutton had its second-lowest September figure in the past decade.

Australian sheepmeat exports were lifted in September but remained below year-ago and five-year average volumes on the back of lower domestic slaughter and global trade dynamics. On the supply side, total sheep and lamb slaughter (based on weekly Meat & Livestock Australia data) for the year so far, has fallen 20% compared to 2025, putting the numbers 12% below the five-year-average. From a demand perspective, higher US tariffs, supply chain impacts from ongoing conflicts, and a strong dollar with high prices are all playing a role. Lamb exports lifted by about 2000 tonnes on the previous month in September, to be about 5% below the five-year-average for the month. This brought the year-to-September total to about 9% lower than the same time last year. Historically of course, lamb exports remain strong, at the third highest level for that same period, only surpassed by the previous two years. Unsurprisingly, given flock numbers and slaughter, mutton exports have fallen more ...