PRODUCERS intent on retaining ewes in an already tight supply market, as well as high lamb and wool prices, saw national mutton prices boom over the last 12 months.
According to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), for the 2016-17 fiscal year, the national mutton indicator averaged 419c/kg cwt – 128c higher than the five-year average.
Across the country MLA reported:
- The Victorian mutton indicator recorded the highest average for 2016-17 across the states, on 444c/kg cwt, 106c higher year-on-year
- NSW followed, with the average for the fiscal year at 423c/kg cwt, up 83c year-on-year
- The mutton indicator in SA increased 101c, to 405c/kg cwt
- In the west, WA mutton prices reached levels unseen since 2010-11 fiscal year, with the state’s indicator averaging 350c/kg cwt in 2016-17
MLA reported the overall shortage of slaughter-available stock and the marked rise in mutton prices proved a challenge for processing facilities.
Average weekly mutton slaughter across the eastern states for 2016-17 was 17pc lower than the previous 12 months, on 90,681 head.
Furthermore, MLA said national average saleyard throughput for the fiscal year eased 8pc, to average 65,003 head per week for the year ending June 2017.
