THE NSW Heavy Lamb Indicator tipped over the 1000 cents a kilogram (carcase weight) mark late last week indicating just how hungry overseas markets are for our state's lamb.
NSW prices for export lambs were at least 10c/kg higher than Victoria's average and 15c/kg more than South Australia's indicator at the close of markets last week.
The south and central markets of NSW are where the high prices were most evident, with southern districts leading the way hitting an average of 1010c/kg last Friday.
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Northern markets for heavy lambs were well below southern and central parts of the state at 831c/kg.
Current over-the-hooks prices also sit well below the current saleyards market.
Heavy lambs sold direct to works averaged 880c/kg according to Meat and Livestock Australia's weekly report released on Monday.
Trade lambs also shot up to an average of 961c/kg which was 210c/kg higher than this time last year.
Southern trade lambs surged to 973c/kg, while those in the central parts of NSW hit 944c/kg.
The boost to heavy and trade lambs pushed the NSW Restocker Lamb Indicator to 930c/kg.
This was 138c/kg higher than at the same time last week and 367c/kg dearer than this time last year.
Meanwhile, Matt Cotton from AuctionsPlus said with lamb supply stresses across the country, and record saleyard prices, processors have been looking online to find value.
He said White Suffolk/Composite mixed-sex sucker lambs weighing 24kg (cwt) from Duluce in Victoria sold to a Victorian processor for $229 or 935c/kg and Merino wether lambs from Aramac in Queensland sold for $130.5 or 759c/kg to another Victorian processor.
Other online AuctionsPlus sale highlights in the past week included March/April-drop, 29kg White Suffolk/Merino mixed-sex suckers from Peak Hill sold for for $163, while March/April, 29kg Poll Dorset/Merino mixed-sex suckers also from Peak Hill sold for for $165.