WELLINGTON: According to Beef and Lamb, New Zealand, the new season outlook for 2015-16 shows a fall in lamb exports. Last year, New Zealand exported 293,000t of lamb. It is expected that next year’s exports will fall by 6.3% due to lower levels of production.
However, due to an expected weakening of the New Zealand dollar against the major currencies where lamb meat is traded, the value of exports is predicted to fall by only 4.2% as there will be an increase in the average FOB value, offsetting the reduction in volume of shipments.
The share of New Zealand lamb export returns from the EU was 51% last year compared to 48% the previous year. Great Britain is one of New Zealand’s major lamb export markets due to historical links between the two countries.
Any reduction in supplies of New Zealand lamb means there is greater opportunity for Irish lamb on UK supermarket shelves. Beef and Lamb New Zealand are also forecasting a 6.4% reduction in receipts for co-products due to lower skin prices.
