Yardings were up 9% (32k head) on the previous week as the lamb and sheep
markets continued to gain momentum after the Christmas shutdown. Mutton drove
the yarding increase with a 24% (22.4k head) increase on the week prior. Lamb
rose a modest 4% (9.6k head), but to a level that is 36% above the five-year
average for the 3rd week of January.
Heavy and trade lamb indicators took the
biggest price hit week on week, both falling away from the 800c/kg benchmark they
were on track for. The National Heavy Lamb Indicator fell by 9% (71c/kg) with
yardings also down 7%. Wagga saw the largest yarding of heavy lambs, supplying
31% of the volume. The NLRS saleyard report talks of cautious buyer behaviour
and not all exporters throwing their hand up. Trade lambs followed the same
path with the indicator down 9%, although there was a more significant decrease
in yardings, down 19% (12.3k head). Despite both categories seeing a decrease in
supply it was not enough to prevent the correction.
Mutton saw a rise in both price and
yardings. The National Mutton Indicator rose 10% (27 c/kg) on the previous week
and has lifted 182% since the bottom of the market back in late October. There
was plenty of mutton on offer as well with an increase in yardings of 18%
(12.6k head) to a total of 82.3k head. Wagga had the largest contribution,
where mutton sold 11% (31c/kg) higher than the national average.
In the West, trade lambs were flat week on
week at 562 c/kg, despite a 69% increase in yardings. Muchea averaged 18c/kg
above the state average, with the report talking of a crowded buying field with
some coming from the East. Mutton in the west saw an improvement (up 23c/kg
week on week) but a decrease in yardings of 34% to 4.4k head can’t be ruled out
as the driver.
Slaughter levels are back following the
shutdown over the Christmas/New Year break. Slaughter figures for last week were
up 16% on the week prior and up 20% on the five-year average to a total of 595k
head. This reflects the increase in demand from consumers, with one major
retailer currently running a large promotion on lamb.
Mutton makes a move
Next week
Despite the shorter week with the Friday public holiday, the market will continue to search for its new level. Heavy rain on the east coast and the price decline may push some producers to cash in while the money is there. However, the unseasonal carpet of green, particularly in the southeast, and early lambs to slaughter tell us that finished lambs are going to be keenly sought after for some time.
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Data sources: MLA, Mecardo
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