The silence of the Victorian lambs

Market Morsel

Over the last four weeks Victorian sheep slaughter has dropped by nearly 40% from 42,000 head per week towards 25,000 head as of the middle of October. Compared to the five-year weekly average pattern current sheep slaughter volumes in Victoria are running 51% below trend. Victorian processors are clearly showing a preference for lamb on the kill floor with weekly lamb slaughter levels hitting a record high for the 2023 season so far at nearly 245,000 head processed.

A short weekly lull in September saw lamb slaughter dip toward 196,000 head, but recent weeks have seen a 24% lift in volumes to the present peak. Compared to the five-year weekly average pattern current lamb slaughter is running nearly 40% above the seasonal trend.