Producers responded to falling lamb prices over the last fortnight by pulling back throughput with the east coast yardings at levels usually reserved for disrupted public holiday weeks. Just 92,310 head were yarded on the east coast. This was a drop of 33% from the week prior and almost 60,000 head under the five-year seasonal average level for this time in the year.
East coast producers were just as motivated by some wet weather and recent lower mutton prices to keep sheep away from yards too. Just 23,767 head of sheep were yarded, which dragged total ovine yardings to levels below even the winter of 2011, which we use as a benchmark year of tight supply (Figure 1).
Processors continued on with recent lamb slaughter levels, tracking sideways for the week. Meanwhile, sheep slaughter was well back on last week, falling to the lowest levels this season.
The Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator lifted on the week, up 51¢ or 7% to 821¢/kg cwt (Figure 2). All lamb types gained ground, but restocker lambs were the most well-supported category on the east coast, up 113¢ or 12% to 915¢/kg cwt as some good rain across inland NSW and Victoria excited restockers. Light, trade and heavy lamb indicators were all up 50 to 60 cents.
It was a different market in Western Australia this week. Heavy lamb prices played catchup to the falls recently experienced on the east coast. The WA Heavy Lamb price moved back 118¢ on the week to 727¢/kg cwt. WA trade lambs also felt the weaker market, down 26 cents to 751¢/kg cwt.
Mutton prices were neither here nor there. The National Mutton Indicator remained largely unchanged on the week at 598¢/kg cwt.
Tight supply causes turnaround
Next week
Four meatworks in Victoria have reported employees testing positive for COVID-19. The closure of any sites will be noticed in Victorian saleyards and slaughter volumes over the coming weeks. One of the affected sites, JBS Brooklyn at full capacity can process around 8,200 head of smallstock but the seasonal slowdown in processing and tight supply will cushion any impact from reduced processor activity.
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
Aussie lamb still leaping overseas
Australia’s total sheepmeat exports dropped 3% year-on-year for the month of May but remains 1% above 2024 for the year-to-date. Trump and all his tariff
Back to the paddock, lambs start to surge
The rise and rise of the sheep and lamb market over the past month has all Meat & Livestock Australia price indicators sitting at between
How long will the peak last
Lamb prices were literally off the charts last week. You know the market is doing extraordinary things when you have to increase the scale on
Big week for big lambs
Heavy lamb price records tumbled this week in Victoria as we approach the home straight on heavy lamb supply. It wasn’t just the heavy weights
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.