Australian Mutton Registers Highest Exports Volume Since 2019

Australian mutton exports followed a similar pattern to lamb shipments in 2022, registering a 2.4% year-on-year increase and the highest export volume since 2019 - hitting 144,005 tonnes swt (DAFF). Despite China’s economic slowdown and zero-COVID policy, the country continued to dominate Australian mutton purchases throughout 2022, accounting for 40% of total exports. The top five markets for Australian mutton exports in 2022 in order of volume was China, Malaysia, the US, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Figure 1: Australian Monthly Mutton Exports 2020 - 2022 (Source: DAFF)

Figure 2: Australian monthly mutton exports by destination 2020-2022, top 5 countries (Source: DAFF)

Australian mutton exports to China have reduced over the last three years, underpinned by restrained Australian production, but also impacted by the rapid reduction in demand due to slower economic conditions. Australian mutton exports to China for the past calendar year reached 57,246 tonnes swt, on par with 2021 volumes, but down 42% on 2019 figures. The easing of China’s COVID restrictions in late 2022 assisted in a spike in exports during the final three months of the year, peaking in December with 6,740 tonnes swt.

Taking out second spot for Australian mutton exports in 2022 was Malaysia, securing 18,046 tonnes swt - a 6% increase on 2021 volumes. With the countries consumer preference to eat sheep-meat out of home, demand for the Australian product remains strong. While the US has seen an increase in demand for Australian lamb over the last three years, demand for Australian mutton has declined. 2022 figures saw 17,555 tonnes swt of Australian mutton exported to the US, a 30% decrease from 2021 and 2% lower on 2020 volumes.

Australian mutton exports to Saudi Arabia rose 10% in 2022, reaching 6,048 tonnes swt, with the country one of the few to register a year-on-year increase. Although export volumes were higher on 2021, exports were back 5% on 2020, where the country imported 6,300 tonnes swt of Australian mutton.