Australia: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Australia

The Australian lamb and sheep meat market shrank modestly to $X in 2021, declining by -4.6% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Australia

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 18%. Lamb and sheep meat production peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In 2021, the average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Australia amounted to X kg per head, with an increase of 3.7% against 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average lamb and sheep meat yield attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In 2021, approx. X heads of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Australia; which is down by -8.4% against the year before. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Australia

Lamb and sheep meat exports from Australia reached X tons in 2021, approximately reflecting 2020. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 28%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) were the main destinations of lamb and sheep meat exports from Australia, together comprising 59% of total exports. Papua New Guinea, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Singapore, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Canada, Taiwan (Chinese) and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for South Korea (with a CAGR of +16.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for lamb and sheep meat exported from Australia were the United States ($X), China ($X) and Malaysia ($X), with a combined 60% share of total exports. South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Canada, the UK, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan (Chinese) and Hong Kong SAR lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +24.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Papua New Guinea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to China (+7.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Australia

In 2021, supplies from abroad of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -17.7% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Overall, imports continue to indicate a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 148% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 84% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, New Zealand (X tons) was the main supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Australia, with a 101% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from New Zealand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), sevenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from New Zealand stood at -3.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+15.5% per year) and Samoa (0.0% per year).

In value terms, New Zealand ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Australia, comprising 76% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 18% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from New Zealand totaled -12.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+24.0% per year) and Samoa (0.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average lamb and sheep meat import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Samoa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+14.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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