April 22, 2014

Australia's February lamb exports up 40%

Despite the volume of lamb exported only increasing 9% during February, Australia's total value of lamb exports during the said period reached AUD135.5 million (US$126.5 million), up 40% on-year, according to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).

An MLA spokesman said this was due to the effect of the Australian dollar sitting at about US$0.89 for that month.

Shipments of lamb to the US were worth AUD41.2 million (US$38.5 million) for the month, up 38%, while exports to the Middle East were valued at AUD30.2 million (US$28.2 million), up 23%.

MLA said mutton export values during February also increased considerably, up 84% on the previous year totalling AUD84.5 million (US$79 million).

Exports to China generated the highest value at AUD21.4 million (US$20 million), an increase of 65% and representing 25% of Australian mutton exports.

The value of mutton exports to the Middle East was AUD21.3 million (US$20 million), up 64%.

The value of shipments to South East Asia and the US almost doubled for February, at AUD9.9 million and AUD7.6 million (US$9.2 million and US$7.1 million) respectively.