US forces give the nod
The Snapshot
- There was 7,219 tonnes of lamb shipped during August from Australia to the USA, which represents trade volumes that are 92% above the five-year average.
- Total lamb exports for August are sitting nearly 27% above the five-year average August pattern.
- Aussie mutton exports to the USA are sitting 113% above the five-year average for August.
- Mutton and lamb exports to China in August are running ahead of the average seasonal levels by 9% and 42%, respectively.
The Detail
The release of the red meat export statistics for August highlight strong demand forces in the USA persist for Australian sheep meat. Lamb export volumes to the USA lifted 3% over August, and while this is only a marginal gain on the July figures it must be noted that monthly volumes have been sitting well above the normal seasonal fluctuations since April.
There was 7,219 tonnes of lamb shipped during August from Australia to the USA, which represents trade volumes that are 92% above the five-year average for August. The Australian winter normally sees lamb export volumes dwindle to their seasonal low ebb. However, this year lamb export volumes from Australia to the USA have averaged flows that are 82% above the normal seasonal trend from June to August.
Total Australian lamb export volumes eased by 7% from July to August, despite the firm demand from the USA, to see 23,222 tonnes swt reported. Total lamb exports for August are sitting nearly 27% above the five-year average August pattern.
Australian mutton exports to the USA have recorded their highest monthly total so far this year with 2,098 tonnes noted for August. This represents a 54% lift on the July mutton flows, which were already 43% above the July average levels. The strong gains during August place Aussie mutton exports to the USA 113% above the five-year average for August.
Supported by the US demand, total Australian mutton export volumes saw a 35% increase over August to see 9,446 tonnes swt sent offshore. However, total mutton export volumes are still limited by weaker flows to other destinations (all other trade destinations other than the USA and China) with the August tally of 3,656 tonnes placing the trade to other locations at levels that are 48% under the August average pattern.
Australian mutton exports to China lifted 57% from July to August to see 3,692 tonnes swt consigned and places the mutton trade to China at levels that are 9% above the average seasonal pattern for August. Meanwhile, lamb export volumes from Australia to China remain at historically strong levels despite easing nearly 19% during August.
Aussie lamb export volumes to China during August came in at 5,233 tonnes swt, levels that are nearly 42% above the five-year average seasonal trend for August.
