Lamb export update
April 2025 - Lamb Export Update
April saw a 7% decline in Aussie lamb export flows by volume to see 31,143 tonne reported shipped offshore. Despite the easing this is still the second strongest lamb export flows for April on record, sitting marginally under the record set in April 2024 of 31,318 tonnes. Compared to the five-year average flows for April the current trade volumes a running 30% stronger, a great result for the lamb sector.
The market share of the trade in 2025 demonstrates that the USA remain the top destination accounting for nearly 23% of the export flows. China sits in second place on nearly 17%, followed by United Arab Emirates (UAE) on about 7% and Papua New Guinea (PNG) on a little under 6%.
In terms of the top trade destinations for Australian lamb exports, the following was noted.
USA- Lamb exports to the US eased 7.5% over April to 6,197 tonnes swt. Despite the lower volumes exported over April to the US the export levels remain nearly 14% above the average April flows, based on the last five years of the trade, so the US market remains solid for now – despite the tariff/trade concerns that continue to loom over the sector. Compared to April 2024 the current flows of Aussie lamb to the USA are 8% softer.
China – In contrast to the US trend Chinese appetite for Aussie lamb lifted by 5% over April reaching 5,677 tonnes for the month. This places current Chinese demand at levels 8% stronger than during April 2024 and 9% higher than the five-year average flows for April. The increased access to several Aussie processor/exporters into China in the last month signifies improved opportunities for growth too.
The others – Trade to other destinations (ex China and the USA) dipped by nearly 10% during April, but this was coming off a reasonably high historic level seen during March 2025. There was 19,269 tonnes of lamb exported to the “others” in April, very close to the levels sent during April last year and still a huge 45% above the five-year average flows usually seen during April.
