Lamb export update May 2025
May 2025 - Lamb Export Update
Total lamb export volumes over May increased by 18% from the levels reported in April to see 36,754 tonnes shipped. This makes May the strongest performing month so far in 2025 and current flows sit 35% above the five-year average lamb export volumes usually seen during May. In 2024 we also saw a seasonal peak in lamb exported during May in excess of 36,000 tonnes too.
In terms of the top trade destinations for Australian lamb exports, the following was noted.
USA- After an 8% dip in the trade during April we saw a 21% rebound in lamb export volumes to the USA over May. There was 7,488 tonnes reported exported to the USA over the month and this represents trade levels that are 21% higher than the May average flows, based upon the last five-years of the trade. No sign that the Trump tariff is having a negative impact – yet!
China – There was 6,515 tonnes of Aussie lamb exported to China during May, a 15% increase on the levels set in April 2025. Compared to the five-year average trend for May the current flows to China are sitting a comfortable 10% above the seasonal average pattern.
The others – There was a solid rebound in trade volumes to other destinations (ex China and the USA) during May after April recorded a 10% easing. May 2025 saw lamb exports from Australia to the “others” lift by 18% to see 22,752 tonnes shipped offshore. This represents levels that are a huge 52% above the five-year May average volumes and a whisker away from the strong May result seen in 2024.
