Sheepmeat export update October 2025
October 2025 - Sheep Meat Export Update
Lamb export volumes saw a 6% lift during October the rise to 24,667 tonnes shipped offshore over the month. Current volumes now it just 3% under the average flows usually seen during October, based upon the last five years of the trade.
Mutton export flows saw a stronger recovery during October with a 21% increase noted over the month. There was 18,241 tonnes reported shipped which sits within about 100 tonnes of the five-year average flows usually seen during October.
In terms of the top trade destinations for Australian lamb exports, the following was noted.
USA – Aussie lamb export volumes to the USA dropped by 21% in October to 5,779 tonnes, putting the current flows back below the five-year average trend by 3%.
China – In contrast to the USA, the lamb trade to China lifted by 14% to 4,997 tonnes, this takes the October flows to levels 2% above the October average pattern, based upon the last five-years of the trade.
The others – Increased flows of lamb to other destinations, helped offset the drop in US activity and contributed to the lift in total lamb export flows. There was 13,891 tonnes reported shipped to other destinations (excluding the USA and China) which was a 20% gain on the prior months flows. Despite the strong rebound in October the trade volumes to other destinations still sits 5% below the five-year average levels.
In terms of the top trade destinations for Australian mutton exports, the following was noted.
China – Mutton exports from Australia to China increased 20% during October to 3,337 tonnes, but it still falls well short of the five-year average levels for October with trade volumes 64% below the seasonal average trend line.
Malaysia – Mutton demand in Malaysia remains firm, lifting by 23% in October to 2,628 tonnes. Current Aussie mutton exports to Malaysia sit 50% above the five-year average levels for October.
The others – The mutton trade to the other destinations (excluding China and Malaysia) also saw a strong lift of 20% during October. There was 12,276 tonnes reported shipped over the month to sit at levels that are 74% above the five-years seasonal monthly average.
