Growth in frozen lamb shipments to Japan in 2014-15

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Australian lamb exports to Japan during the 2014-15 fiscal year reached 9,474 tonnes swt – up 5% on the previous year.

Despite chilled shipments accounting for almost 60% of the total (5,481 tonnes swt, down 2% year-on-year), it was the 16% increase in frozen product (3,994 tonnes swt) that drove the overall rise in lamb exports to Japan for the year.

• Lamb shoulder – typically used for Genghis Khan sheepmeat barbecue –  continued to be the predominant cut exported to Japan in 2014-15, at 5,459 tonnes swt – up 13% year-on-year.

• Manufacturing volumes declined 9% on year-ago levels, at 2,230 tonnes swt, due to a decline in shoulder meat under the category.

• Rack shipments were back 2% year-on-year, to 689 tonnes swt, and leg exports were 9% higher, totalling 666 tonnes swt.

Mutton exports to Japan were 15% lower than the previous year, at 3,963 tonnes swt, largely attributed to lower Australian mutton supplies.

• Backstrap volumes increased 9% in 2014-15, at 1,286 tonnes swt

• Leg shipments declined 9%, to 1,268 tonnes swt

• Manufacturing exports totalled 1,076 tonnes swt, down 36% on year-ago levels