Aussie Beef Processing Hits High as Mutton Prices Soar
Australian Livestock Markets See Stable Cattle Prices, Soaring Mutton, and High Cattle Throughput
AUSTRALIA – June 6, 2025 – Australia’s cattle market remained stable in the week ending June 6, reflecting national confidence, while mutton prices surged to their highest levels since 2022. The sheep market saw mixed results, with lamb slaughter volumes undergoing a seasonal decline.
According to the latest Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) weekly market wrap, cattle prices held steady. Yardings, the number of livestock presented at saleyards, increased by 8,345 head during the week, reaching a total of 72,045 head. This indicates a robust movement of cattle through the supply chain.
In the sheep sector, mutton prices notably rose, achieving their highest levels since 2022. This strong performance in mutton occurred despite a more mixed outlook for the lamb market. Lamb slaughter volumes, however, reflected a seasonal decline in supply, with a national throughput of 460,626 head, representing an 8% fall for the week.
Conversely, cattle slaughter volumes reached a new high for the current cycle, recording their highest volume since 2019, with a total of 153,100 head processed. This sustained high level of cattle processing underscores ongoing strong demand from the processing sector. The MLA report provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamic shifts within Australia’s red meat industry.
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