A lower yarding with lamb numbers back in most major yards this week helped to provide a much-wanted price boost. All categories lifted in NSW, however, in Victoria the downward trend continued for all but Merino lambs.
Tightening saleyard supply has finally put a stop to the price decline that we’ve seen over the last three weeks. Last week lamb yardings were back 12% and sheep 14%, and MLA saleyard reports suggest that this week, throughput was lower again at major yards.
Processors continue to run at levels much higher than we typically see through winter. Last week the number of lambs slaughtered in the east was 6% higher than the same time last year and 11% more than the seasonal average. Sheep slaughter in NSW last week was close to average levels, while in Victoria 25% fewer sheep were processed compared to the seasonal average.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator lifted 55¢ on the week to settle at 689¢. The ESTLI is currently 26% lower than at this point in 2021. It was much stronger competition for the limited yardings in NSW that really drove the market up. In NSW Merino lambs were up 71¢, Restockers 122¢ and Heavy lambs 52¢ on the week prior.
For Victoria the only type that saw prices improve were Merino lambs, which gained 47¢ to 656¢/kg cwt, currently sitting at 92¢ premium to Merino lambs in NSW.
In the west, the market was more mixed with store lambs improving but trade lambs tracking down another 5¢ to 481¢/kg cwt. Most indicators in WA are around 250¢ lower than at the same time last year. Mutton continued to follow the mood of the lamb market. The National Mutton Indicator picked up 32¢ to 495¢/kg cwt.
The week ahead….
We saw earlier this week that there are signs of weakening demand in export markets which adds to the story of why prices have slumped so quickly during winter. Whether we’ve seen the bottom (like in 2020/21) is too early to say. With the number of factors playing against the market, including the bottleneck in getting meat from the processors to the end customer, there are a few challenges to iron out before we see a big rebound.
A short week, and closed saleyards on Thursday has culminated in some relief on the supply front as combined lamb and sheep yardings nationally dropped
Despite a decrease in yardings week on week, the tightening of supply was not enough to support prices. Middle East airspace closures impacted demand at
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In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
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Lighter lamb load drives a bounce in NSW
Tightening saleyard supply has finally put a stop to the price decline that we’ve seen over the last three weeks. Last week lamb yardings were back 12% and sheep 14%, and MLA saleyard reports suggest that this week, throughput was lower again at major yards.
Processors continue to run at levels much higher than we typically see through winter. Last week the number of lambs slaughtered in the east was 6% higher than the same time last year and 11% more than the seasonal average. Sheep slaughter in NSW last week was close to average levels, while in Victoria 25% fewer sheep were processed compared to the seasonal average.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator lifted 55¢ on the week to settle at 689¢. The ESTLI is currently 26% lower than at this point in 2021. It was much stronger competition for the limited yardings in NSW that really drove the market up. In NSW Merino lambs were up 71¢, Restockers 122¢ and Heavy lambs 52¢ on the week prior.
For Victoria the only type that saw prices improve were Merino lambs, which gained 47¢ to 656¢/kg cwt, currently sitting at 92¢ premium to Merino lambs in NSW.
In the west, the market was more mixed with store lambs improving but trade lambs tracking down another 5¢ to 481¢/kg cwt. Most indicators in WA are around 250¢ lower than at the same time last year. Mutton continued to follow the mood of the lamb market. The National Mutton Indicator picked up 32¢ to 495¢/kg cwt.
The week ahead….
We saw earlier this week that there are signs of weakening demand in export markets which adds to the story of why prices have slumped so quickly during winter. Whether we’ve seen the bottom (like in 2020/21) is too early to say. With the number of factors playing against the market, including the bottleneck in getting meat from the processors to the end customer, there are a few challenges to iron out before we see a big rebound.
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Data sources: MLA, Mecardo
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Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published
Listen to the podcast
Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock
In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making.
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We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.