Lamb is off the Australia Day menu as prices soar

We’re told by Australian ‘Lambassador’ Sam Kekovich that it’s un-Australian to not eat lamb on Australia Day.

But the popular meal could be off the menu for many Aussies this Friday as lamb prices continue to soar.

In Central Queensland, Daly’s Meats butcher Peter O’Connor said that lamb prices were the highest he’d seen in his 10 years.

He told the Gladstone Observer that he has started selling lamb in bulk packs to remain competitive against the supermarket giants.

‘It’s difficult because you have to maintain competition to survive,’ Mr O’Connor said.

Meat and Livestock Australia recently released their sheep projections which showed lamb and mutton prices were expected to stay high this year because of strong international demand.

One butcher said prices were the highest he had seen in 10 years  

‘Consumer demand for lamb has been strong, with exports hitting record highs in 2017 at 251,000 tonnes cwt (carcase weight) as well as maintaining domestic consumption levels despite increases in average retail prices,’ market intelligence manager Scott Tolmie said.

Consumer demand for lamb continues to be strong, despite the price hike

‘While lamb exports are expected to draw back slightly in 2018 to 244,000 tonnes (shipped weight), this is still four per cent above the five-year average.’

Earlier this month, Meat and Livestock Australia launched its annual summer lamb campaign which this year features singing, dancing and celebrating the one thing all Australians can agree on – Australian Lamb.

The campaign inspires people to put aside their differences, big and small, and come together over lamb this summer but has sparked controversy for being too political.

Earlier this month, Meat and Livestock Australia launched its annual summer lamb campaign