March 2, 2006

Australian lamb exports jumps 22 percent in 2005

The total value of Australian lamb exports in 2005 surged 22 percent or A$139 million from 2004 to a record A$778 million, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The increase in value was attributable to an increase in lamb export volume for the year. This reflects the record demand for Australian lamb in 2005 as countries impose bans on other meat supplies due to disease outbreaks.

The US recorded the largest increase in Australian lamb export value with a 25 percent increase to reach A$324 million. The lower US lamb supplies and reduced imports from New Zealand led to higher demand for Australian lamb.

The Japanese and Middle Eastern markets also gained sharply in demand for Australian lamb with export values rising 48 and 30 percent respectively. Demand for lamb in Japan continues to rise as the country faces an absence of US beef and poultry from Asia.

However, the value of lamb exports to the EU declined by 9 percent in 2005 to A$83.5 million. This was because mutton prices in the EU fell and lamb prices continued to stay high.