Australian Cattle and Sheep Market: Weekly Insights

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market: Prices Hold Steady Amid Strong Slaughter Volumes

June 28, 2025 | Meatex News Desk

According to the latest market wrap from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) cattle prices remained steady while lamb prices eased slightly during the week ending 27 June 2025. The market was shaped by strong demand, shifting quality, and record slaughter volumes.

Cattle Market Highlights

• Cattle prices held firm, supported by strong demand for restocker steers and processor cows.
• The Restocker Steer Indicator rose by 11¢ to 391¢/kg liveweight (lwt), while the Restocker Heifer Indicator eased 9¢ to 312¢/kg lwt.
• Processor Cow Indicator lifted 9¢ to 291¢/kg lwt, with prices reaching 360¢/kg lwt at Dubbo.
• Cattle slaughter reached 153,442 head, the highest weekly total since December 2019, with significant increases in Victoria and New South Wales.

Sheep Market Highlights

• Lamb prices eased across most indicators due to declining quality and increased buyer selectivity.
• The Heavy Lamb Indicator dropped 32¢ to 1,028¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), while the Trade Lamb Indicator also fell.
• The Mutton Indicator declined 28¢ to 644¢/kg cwt, with quality issues driving prices down at key saleyards.
• Lamb slaughter rose to 445,799 head, while sheep slaughter fell to 159,701 head, with year-on-year sheep slaughter down 8%.

These figures reflect a market balancing strong processing demand with seasonal shifts in livestock quality and availability.

Original data sourced from Meat & Livestock Australia