December 13, 2003

US and EU Main Drivers of Australia's November Lamb Exports

In November, Australia's lamb exports increased 16% from a year ago, to 10,122 tons sw.  This figure is below the record export volume set last month, but the November volume is still a historical high.

The main drivers of the November export figure were the US and the EU, which accounted for 33% and 14% of the total, respectively. 

Australian lamb exports to the US in November were the second highest on record, at 3,380 tons sw, behind the record October 2003 exports of 3,616 tons sw. 

Strong US consumer demand for lamb has been the major driver of Australian lamb exports to the US, such that the calendar year to November exports totalled 28,526 tonnes, 4% higher than the annual total in 2002. 

Australian lamb exports to the EU increased 492% from November last year, to 1,438 tons sw.  The large year on year increase is likely to be a result of exporters taking advantage of Australia's higher unfilled portion of the 18,650 EU quota compared to this time last year.

Australian mutton exports for November were 39% lower this year compared to the year before, at 10,612 tons sw.