Rain boosts price, light lambs miss out

The battle within the Center East presents some distinctive challenges for the lamb and sheep market.  While battle does usually spike demand for meals staples, the logistics problem of entry and distribution hampers the power to supply. With air freight into key vacation spot markets within the Center East grounded we’ll doubtless see interruptions and lags for Australian sheepmeat into the Center East. This may and has already begun to affect the sunshine lamb market. This week the nationwide mild lamb indicator was 32¢ decrease to 1063¢/kg cwt.

Rain did attain the vast majority of the southern sheep areas which is excellent information, however there was sturdy variability within the quantities acquired. There was sturdy restocking curiosity coming from some producers in Victoria and South Australia which pushed the market greater however there are nonetheless some key areas that want extra rain to help pasture progress earlier than winter. This resulted in a lift to the market, however not a Rocketship greater.

Per MLA saleyard studies, Commerce lambs have been scarce in Wagga because the yarding skewed heavy, SA and Victorian consumers have been pushing lighter commerce spec lambs greater.  Restocker demand was notable and powerful curiosity in heavy pens from processors at Ballarat pushed the market dearer.  South Australian Commerce lambs improved 28¢ to 1059¢/kg cwt however restocker consumers have been chasing inventory in Victoria and NSW this week.

Restocker lamb indicator was up 30¢ to 1155¢/kg cwt, and Commerce lambs elevated 20¢ to 1137¢/kg cwt. Mutton was flat to 792¢/kg cwt.  NLRS indicative yardings have been down 29% for sheep (66k) and down 17% for lambs (144K).

Lamb slaughter continues to trace across the 440-450K mark, which is 12% decrease YoY. Numbers have been constant which is vital for the commerce if absolutely the top of capability can’t be reached because of decrease provide. Sheep slaughter has been yo-yoing and can doubtless be a bit extra unstable for the following few weeks as producers resolve on what they’re doing with breeding inventory. Significantly those who didn’t get an enormous drink on this final week.  

This week on Mecardo, Jamie-Lee Oldfield did an replace on the West Australian Sheep flock (learn extra right here).  Regardless of sturdy home returns WA’s sheep sector has declined considerably. West to East transfers in 2025 have been traditionally low and dwell sheep export numbers have been down 33% YoY in 2025.  Sheep slaughter in WA is 31% decrease Yr on Yr regardless of sturdy demand.