Australian mutton production in 2009-10 reached 177,117 tonnes cwt, down 25% on the previous year's total, and the third year in a row that it has declined (Australian Bureau of Statistics). With sheep slaughter slipping 28% to 8.1 million head over the same period, a 5% increase in average carcase weights, to 21.8kg/head, slightly restricted the production fall.
The lower sheep slaughter numbers reflect the decline in the sheep flock and, particularly since February, the improved seasonal conditions in the eastern states, which have provided an incentive to producers to retain breeding ewes.
On a state basis, year-on-year production varied greatly, with Victorian production declining the least - by 14% to 56,867 tonnes cwt - and Queensland production slipping the most - by 38% to 9,356 tonnes. This may have been a result of relatively poor seasonal conditions in southern states until this autumn.
Source: MLA.com
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