Australia sheepmeat exports to the EU declined in 2015 despite sheepmeat imports under the country specific quotas up eight per cent year-on-year in 2015, to 199,362 tonnes carcase weight.
The EU received higher shipments from New Zealand, which offset the low quota utilisation by Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
Australia’s allocated quota was usage at 98pc, or 18,706 tonnes cwt, with shipments mostly compromised of legs and shanks.
While Australia was the only country to fill its EU quota in 2013, 2014 and 98pc in 2015, access remains limited to only 19,176 tonnes cwe or 6.7pc of the overall quota.
New Zealand’s quota utilisation rose 12.5pc, to 174,540 tonnes cwt, assisted by lower shipments to China, offset by higher imports from Germany and the Netherlands.
Argentina, Uruguay and Chile account for a combined 12.5pc, 36,000 tonnes cwt, of the total EU sheepmeat quota.
The three countries have consistently fallen short, shipping only 13.4pc, 4,822 tonnes cwe, of their combined allocated quota in 2015.
The EU sheepmeat quota utilisation is forecast to decline slightly in 2016, due to the forecast lower New Zealand and Australian production, and an expected increase in UK sheepmeat production.
