New Zealand’s red meat exports were up 21 percent to $1.2 billion on 2016-17 to over $6.7 billion on the back of sustained high value per tonne and increased volume for lamb, mutton, and beef.
Total lamb exports were over $3.1 billion, up 25 per cent on 2016-17 and 28 per cent higher than the five-year average, with the average value of lamb exports staying over $10,000 per tonne for the entire season. While these levels were reached on occasion in 2010-11 and 2011-12, it was not sustained across the entire season.
Total mutton exports benefitted from limited international supply and strong demand to reach $618 million, up 46 per cent on 2016-17.
Increasing demand for sheepmeat from China, particularly mutton, and tight supply from Australia and New Zealand, increased competition for New Zealand’s sheepmeat. Limited international availability of mutton drove improved value for sub-primal cuts of lamb, which began in mid-2016-17, and lifted the overall average value of lamb exports.
In comparison with lamb and mutton, increases in the volume and value of beef exports this season may seem subdued, but total beef exports exceeded $3 billion, up 14 per cent on 2016-17 and up 17 per cent on the five-year average.
The average value of beef exports has remained steady and strong since the 2014-15 season, driven by demand from the United States for lean manufacturing beef.
