Impact of High Prices on Lamb Offerings
Prolonged high prices are affecting retail lamb offerings, with butchers and discount retailers like Costco slowing their lamb purchasing due to elevated saleyard prices.
Despite increased yardings, heavy, trade, and restocker lamb indicators remain over $10/kg, while light and Merino lamb is in the $9 range.
According to Elders senior analyst Richard Koch, the ongoing price dynamic may impact availability into 2026.
Retailers have been working to maintain lamb offerings amid supply constraints, but tighter supply has led to relatively steady exports, resulting in less domestic consumption.
Author's summary: High prices affect lamb retail offerings.