AS A result of lower sheep slaughter, Australian mutton exports were lower year-on-year for the 10th consecutive month in October.
According to the Department of Agriculture, mutton exports totaled 14,400 tonnes shipped weight (swt), back 22 per cent on October last year.
Despite the decline on last year, shipments in October were still 8pc higher than the five-year average for the month.
Mutton exports for the year-to-date have reached 121,351 tonnes swt – 18pc lower than the same period last year.
For the January to October period, compared to last year, Australian mutton shipments to China were 21,941 tonnes swt, down 42pc; Saudi Arabia were 14,505 tonnes swt, down 3pc; Malaysia were 12,287 tonnes swt, down 6pc; the US were 9,295 tonnes swt, down 6pc; the UAE were 8,292 tonnes swt, down 17pc; and Singapore were 7,291 tonnes swt, down 2pc.
