The national mutton sheep indicator lifted a further 17¢ this week to a record 310¢/kg (carcase weight), some 53 per cent above the same time last year, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.
MLA says the price spike was driven by a 24pc year-on-year fall in sheep yardings, intense live sheep export buying and continued strong mutton export demand, particularly from the Middle East.
Prices averaged 344¢/kg in Victoria, exceeding carcase weight values for all cattle indicators, bar young cattle.
Live exporters reportedly were paying extraordinary prices of $51 to $93/head for medium-weight ewes in WA this week, and up to $134/head for wethers (573¢/kg).
MLA reports that national lamb price indicators eased only 2¢ across the board this week, despite a 13pc jump in national yardings (17pc higher than last year).
The point of focus remains on WA lamb prices, with trade and heavy export lambs 16-18pc above the corresponding NSW indicators.
