The AuctionsPlus Restocker Lamb Indicator (ARLI) has climbed to its highest level since the metric was introduced, with strong buyer demand pushing the market to new heights.
For the week ending August 13, 2025, the ARLI averaged 590c/kg liveweight (LW), up 65c/kg LW week-on-week and well above the long-term average of 352c/kg LW recorded since 2016.
Source: AuctionsPlus
This sharp rise has also been reflected in per-head returns, with restocker lambs averaging $176/head across AuctionsPlus sales - an increase of $10.80/head from the previous week.
In carcase weight terms, this equates to 1,365c/kg DW, signalling strong competition for available lines.
On Friday morning Meat & Livestock Australia's (MLA) new Online Sheep Indicator (OSI) was sitting at $243.09/head, which was $34.47/head more than last week.
In contrast the Restocker Lamb Indicator, which monitors saleyard buying, was sitting at 983.55c/kg cwt on Friday morning, down 78.81c over the past seven days after rising more than 100c the previous week.
The Heavy Lamb Indicator also dropped to be 1176.81c/kg cwt or 69.69c back.
The surge of online lamb prices comes amid a tightening in restocker lamb supply. Many producers may have already offloaded surplus stock earlier in the year due to dry conditions is volume lamb producing regions, impacting the volume of lambs available online.
With AuctionsPlus yarding 22,438 head in the past week, volumes remain healthy, but the supply of ideal restocker types is notably constrained in comparison to the same time last year. (August 2024 = 75,239, August 2025 so far = 24,907).
The shortage has coincided with renewed buyer intent, driven by recent widespread rainfall across key sheep-producing regions. Improved paddock feed conditions have bolstered restocker confidence, with many buyers prepared to pay a premium to secure lines ahead of the spring lamb flush.
MLA Senior Market Information Analyst Erin Lukey said saleyard offerings were larger this week and of mixed quality, which likely contributed to average prices easing.
She said mutton quality was good, while lambs were more varied.
“We’ve seen a lot more new season lambs this week – they’ve turned on and will always have an impact on prices on a $/head basis because they’re lighter,” she said.
Ms Lukey said elevated prices can moderate the market, which may also be influencing processors, finishers and restockers to pull back after recent strong prices, resulting in a market correction.
Saleyards started the week firm, but more significant dips were seen later in the week. All states were softer, with Victoria easing most, largely due to producers holding out for confirmation of spring conditions.
She noted that market volatility was affecting some decision-making, but said the outlook remained relatively positive.