Finished lambs held up well this week, while store lambs and mutton ended cheaper. Lamb slaughter has rallied, particularly in NSW, with processors back in full swing and finding extra kill space.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator moved just 1¢ lower over the week, dropping to 744¢/kg cwt. Lack of finished lamb supply in Victoria is seeing buyers head north in search of quality lambs. In the West a slightly bigger showing of lambs saw the Western Australian Trade Lamb Indicator down 30¢ to 484¢/kg cwt.
The National Restocker Lamb Indicator dropped 59¢ on the week to 595¢/kg cwt. Lambs to restockers are cheaper in Victoria, despite a 182¢ jump in price compared to the week prior to 609¢. In NSW, a large consignment of restocker lambs at the CTLX Carcoar put downward pressure on lambs of this type. The NSW restocker indicator fell back 125¢ to 622¢/kg cwt.
Merino lamb prices also fell over the week, down 24¢ to 643¢ while the Heavy lamb indicator kept fairly steady, even with a bigger yarding. Mutton ended the week cheaper in all states, pressured by a jump in supply of both ewes and wethers. The National Mutton Indicator shed 41¢ to 507¢/kg cwt.
East Coast lamb throughput for the week ending the 12th of August was over 150K head, a 46% jump on the week prior. This was largely driven by a big lift in yardings in NSW. In WA, 1,233 fewer lambs were yarded compared to the week prior.
There were some noteworthy figures in last weeks slaughter data. Combined sheep and lamb slaughter in NSW was the highest weekly tally we’ve seen this year. In the last four weeks NSW has processed 11% more sheep and lambs than the same period last year. Total east coast lamb slaughter was 3% higher than the week prior & 16% higher than the five year seasonal average.
The week ahead….
The market feels like its’ steadied out after the blip in late July. With spring around the corner it might not stay that way for too long, however the early new season lambs showing in central NSW are presenting with good quality which is supporting price.
Buyers were chasing weight this week in the depths of winter with heavy lambs across the saleyards attracting the most interest. Indicators were a mixed
Lamb exports remained resilient last month, but the sheep supply constraints were evident as mutton volumes fell away. China continues to bolster demand across both
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.
Our team of market analysts are recognised as leaders in Australian Ag market analysis, providing invaluable insights to help you navigate the ever-changing commodity landscape.
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.
Processors pack a punch
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator moved just 1¢ lower over the week, dropping to 744¢/kg cwt. Lack of finished lamb supply in Victoria is seeing buyers head north in search of quality lambs. In the West a slightly bigger showing of lambs saw the Western Australian Trade Lamb Indicator down 30¢ to 484¢/kg cwt.
The National Restocker Lamb Indicator dropped 59¢ on the week to 595¢/kg cwt. Lambs to restockers are cheaper in Victoria, despite a 182¢ jump in price compared to the week prior to 609¢. In NSW, a large consignment of restocker lambs at the CTLX Carcoar put downward pressure on lambs of this type. The NSW restocker indicator fell back 125¢ to 622¢/kg cwt.
Merino lamb prices also fell over the week, down 24¢ to 643¢ while the Heavy lamb indicator kept fairly steady, even with a bigger yarding. Mutton ended the week cheaper in all states, pressured by a jump in supply of both ewes and wethers. The National Mutton Indicator shed 41¢ to 507¢/kg cwt.
East Coast lamb throughput for the week ending the 12th of August was over 150K head, a 46% jump on the week prior. This was largely driven by a big lift in yardings in NSW. In WA, 1,233 fewer lambs were yarded compared to the week prior.
There were some noteworthy figures in last weeks slaughter data. Combined sheep and lamb slaughter in NSW was the highest weekly tally we’ve seen this year. In the last four weeks NSW has processed 11% more sheep and lambs than the same period last year. Total east coast lamb slaughter was 3% higher than the week prior & 16% higher than the five year seasonal average.
The week ahead….
The market feels like its’ steadied out after the blip in late July. With spring around the corner it might not stay that way for too long, however the early new season lambs showing in central NSW are presenting with good quality which is supporting price.
Have any questions or comments?
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Click on graph to expand
Data sources: MLA, Mecardo
Categories
Have any questions or comments?
Winter weight watchers
Buyers were chasing weight this week in the depths of winter with heavy lambs across the saleyards attracting the most interest. Indicators were a mixed
Export markets look to maintain share of Australia sheepmeat
Lamb exports remained resilient last month, but the sheep supply constraints were evident as mutton volumes fell away. China continues to bolster demand across both
Mutton and Merinos reach record returns
The split of green and red in our weekly sheep and lamb year-on-year table shows pretty clearly the current supply and demand dynamic in the
Lamb feeding boom
If you ever listen to or read the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) market reports from the saleyards, you’ll know that lamb lot feeders have
Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?
Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks
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.
MEET THE TEAM
Our team of market analysts are recognised as leaders in Australian Ag market analysis, providing invaluable insights to help you navigate the ever-changing commodity landscape.
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE
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.