MORE consistent supply and therefore more stable pricing has been a feature of Meat and Livestock Australia’s (MLA’s) updated slaughter figures, released as part of its July update to its 2016 industry projections.
The report states this trend has been noticeable for the period from the start of 2014, during which time, each 12 month period has totalled about 22 million lambs.
This contrasts sharply to the preceding period from 2009 to late 2013, where prices dropped 13 per cent, before climbing 23pc.
It is expected 2016 lamb slaughter will total 23m.
This is forecast to reach 24m in 2017.
The report also said despite the greater number of lambs already processed this year and earlier predictions of tighter supply through winter, expected lamb sales for the July to October period are 12pc higher than the corresponding period last year, at 9.6m head.
The MLA and Australian Wool Innovation wool and sheepmeat survey, used to compile MLA’s projections, also indicated Queensland producers had begun rebuilding their flocks.
