Australian sheepmeat export values reach new highs in 2014-15

Australian lamb exports for 2014-15 generated the highest fiscal year value on record, totalling $1.8 billion – surpassing the previous year’s record by 16%. The value of lamb exports has been steadily increasing over the last 20 years, in line with growing export volumes, and 2014-15 was no exception, with the total value 55% higher than the five-year average.

• Export values to the US surged in 2014-15, up 34% year-on-year and 63% higher than the five-year average, at $532.6 million.

• Shipments to China returned $191.3 million, 12% lower than the highs of the previous year (as a result of lower export volumes), but still historically high – 79% above the five-year-average.

• Demand from the Middle East was strong during 2014-15, with values to the UAE up 18% on the previous year, at $125.4 million, and a 53% lift in values to Jordan, totalling $89.8 million.

• The value of lamb exports to Japan climbed 14% on year-ago levels, to $85.9 million.

• Shipments to the UK generated $76.7 million during 2014-15, back 8% year-on-year, although still 20% higher than the five-year average.

Australian mutton export values increased 7% in 2014-15, compared to the year before, reaching $825.7 million – as with lamb, this was a new fiscal year record.

• The value of shipments to China declined 26% year-on-year, to $168.2 million, but was almost double the five-year average.

• The Middle Eastern markets continued to generate increasing returns, with values to Saudi Arabia totalling $85.2 million (up 48%) and the UAE $60.4 million (up 34%).

• Mutton exports to Malaysia were valued at $80.1 million – up 32% on the previous year.
• The value to the US surged 54% year-on-year, reaching $77.9 million in 2014-15.