Australia to ban controversial live sheep exports by sea from May 2028

SYDNEY, May 11 (Reuters) – The Australian government announced on Saturday that it will ban live sheep exports by sea starting from May 2028, fulfilling a long-standing pledge to end a practice that has faced significant opposition from animal welfare advocates.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt stated, “We are giving certainty to sheep producers and the supply chain by legislating the date.” This move aligns with the Labour government’s commitment to phase out the controversial practice, despite resistance from farm groups who argue that the ban will lead to job losses and harm farming communities.

To support those affected by the industry wind-down, Watt announced a transition package worth A$107 million over five years. This package aims to assist sheep farmers and others impacted by the ban. “We are putting support on the table now so that people can start planning and acting now,” the agriculture minister added.

The legislation to enforce the ban will be introduced during the current term of the federal parliament. It is important to note that the phase-out does not apply to other livestock export industries, such as live cattle exports, nor does it affect live sheep exports by air.

Reuters

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices – April 2024 Market Update

This week’s figures show continued strength in Irish cattle trade & prices April 2024, supported by rising throughput and firm product prices.

Processor quotes improved for steers to €5.15–€5.20/kg, while heifers fetched €5.20–€5.25/kg. Young bulls remained steady at €5.30–€5.40/kg for R grading animals under 24 months. Cow trade also held up well — O grading cows at €4.60/kg, with R grading top-quality cows fetching €4.70–€4.80/kg.**

Throughput is slightly higher than last year**, with 33,164 cattle processed during the week ending April 28, 2024, bringing year-to-date throughput to 596,422 head—a 2.8% increase over the same period in 2023. Prime cattle numbers remain strong, tallying 423,905 head, up 2.7% YoY. Cow throughput rose significantly by 12.5%, totaling 146,167 head.

European & UK Live Trade Prices

On R3 carcass pricing, Ireland’s average was €5.21/kg, slightly behind the previous year’s €5.27/kg. Across Europe, R3 young bulls held steady at €5.02/kg, while Great Britain showed modest gains with R3 steer prices rising to €5.70/kg (approx. £4.89/kg).

Bord Bia

Also:

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices w/e April 28th 2024

Welsh Beef producers shine during Great British Beef Week

Welsh Beef producers are set to take centre stage with Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), shining a light on the sectors sustainability credentials during Great British Beef Week (23-30 April).

As part of its activity, which will feature beef farmers from across Wales, HCC is also highlighting practical steps beef farmers can take to improve efficiencies on farm and boost profitability, as well as showing consumers 5 different ways to use PGI Welsh Beef through some delicious recipes.

The nationwide campaign celebrates the versatility and exceptional taste of home produced beef, while highlighting the commitment and dedication of beef farmers to sustainable practices.

HCC’s Campaign Executive, Philippa Gill said: “Without the abundant rainfall we have here in Wales, the Welsh Beef story wouldn’t be what it is today. Beef cattle in Wales are overwhelmingly reared in non-intensive farming systems, using Wales’s natural resources – water and grass.

“PGI Welsh Beef has an incredible story to tell – from the people who produce it, the sustainability and environmental credentials of our Welsh Beef, as well as its versatility and great taste. Those are all things that HCC is going to champion and amplify during the week – taking a multi-pronged approach to highlighting the uniquely Welsh credentials which we know resonate so well with consumers.”

Hybu Cig Cymru

Also:

PGI Welsh Lamb campaign “a major success”, says HCC

Welsh lamb to be showcased in the US

Welsh secure new lamb deal with Japan

Australian meat exports continue to climb

Despite an early Easter, red meat exports in March rose 9% from last year to 182,480 tonnes, making this past month the largest March in terms of exports since 2015 and the second largest on record.

Beef

Australia exported 106,574 tonnes of beef over March, 8% more than last year. The standout increase was exports to the United States, which rose by 58% year-on-year to 29,346 tonnes. Domestic production of beef in the US is continuing to decline, which is pushing the amount of beef in cold stores down and pulling imports up.

Outside of the US, Japan was the second largest market for the month, and exports lifted 3% year-on-year to 21,007 tonnes.

Exports to China and South Korea fell by 17% and 25%, respectively, compared to March last year, but exports remained above average, and the declines were mostly due to March 2023 being an abnormally high month for both countries.

Beef exports to the United Kingdom almost quadrupled to 506 tonnes as we approach the one-year anniversary of the ratification of the A-UK Free Trade Agreement. While remaining relatively small, exports to the UK have steadily grown over the past year and are highly concentrated in higher-value product segments like chilled beef and grainfed beef.

Lamb

Australian exports of lamb lifted 36% in March from 2023 levels to 30,707 tonnes. Like beef, the largest export market remained the United States, where exports lifted 50% from last year to 7,336 tonnes.

At the same time, exports to the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) saw substantial increases, rising by 47% to 6,143 tonnes. In particular, exports doubled to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which rose to 977 tonnes and 931 tonnes, respectively. Strong economic performance in Gulf countries, alongside a rapidly developing foodservice sector, continues to drive lamb exports into the MENA region.

As discussed last week, Australian lamb exports are now making up more of global trade than ever before. Strong results in 2024 suggest that this will not let up anytime soon.

Tim Jackson | Meat & Livestock Australia

Also:

Australia manages more than half global sheep meat trade in 2023

Australian goatmeat exports surge in 2023

Australian Government leads red meat mission in the UK

Australian goatmeat exports surge in 2023

Australian goatmeat exports for 2023 reached their second highest volume on record for a calendar year since 2014.

A total of 33,891 tonnes of shipped weight (swt) Australian goatmeat was exported in 2023, a significant increase on the 21,831 swt exported in 2022.

While volume was up, the value of exports was down, reflecting the decline in export goatmeat prices from over $12/kg to below $7/kg over the past 18 months.

Australia’s top three goatmeat export markets for volume in 2023 were the United States, China and South Korea, reflecting the significant increase in volumes exported to China.

China has now overtaken Korea as our second largest export market, despite Korea also increasing its volume.

Market share and export volumes to these three markets in 2023:

The US accounted for 43% of Australian goatmeat exports, with volume increasing to 14,477 swt in 2023, up from 12,505 swt in 2022.
China accounted for 20% of Australian goatmeat exports, with volume increasing to 6,757 swt in 2023, up from 290 swt in 2022.
South Korea accounted for 18% of Australian goatmeat exports, with volume increasing to 5,994 swt in 2023, up from 3,757 swt in 2022.

A number of other markets also increased their volumes in 2023, including Trinidad and Tobago, and to a lesser extent, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Meat & Livestock Australia

QMS reports early signs of seasonal uplift in the pig market

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has indicated that the pig market is showing early signs of a seasonal uplift.

After experiencing downward pressure at the start of 2024, the GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) has been relatively stable in February and March. Notably, carcass prices for weights between 70-104.9kg have seen a slight increase, rising 0.4% from earlier in the year.

Despite this uplift, prices are still trailing behind the levels from the previous year, marking the first time in two years that this has occurred. However, they are up 35% on their five-year average as of mid-March, reflecting a significant market rebound from spring 2022 to 2023.

The pig producers are also seeing some relief with the cost of feed, which has decreased by 25-30% compared to 2023 levels. This is due to a well-supplied global arable crop market, improvements in Ukraine’s export capacity, and favourable growing conditions in South America.

While the industry is slowly recovering from the financial crisis of 2021/22, the legacy of a smaller pig herd has supported higher farmgate prices. Slaughter data indicates an 11% decline in prime pig throughput at GB abattoirs in 2023, and the trend has continued into 2024, with a further 4% drop in the first two months.

In Scotland, there’s a stronger momentum with a 14% increase in the number of pigs leaving farms for slaughter compared to the lows of 2023. However, sow numbers in England were still 19% lower than in December 2021, suggesting that while there may be some recovery, significant rebound in prime pig slaughter is unlikely in 2024.

Excessive cost rise impacts Scottish meat chain

Scottish Meat Industry Costs Rise in 2024

The Scottish meat industry costs 2024 are increasing sharply. Stakeholders warn that the scale of these rises could render the sector uncompetitive compared with the rest of the UK.

From 1 April 2024, Food Standards Scotland (FSS) imposed a 20% hike in Official Veterinarian (OV) charges and a 17% rise in Meat Hygiene Inspector (MHI) fees. The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) described the move as both excessive and unacceptable.

In contrast, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in England and Wales introduced far smaller increases. OV rates rose by only 4%, while MHI fees increased by 10%. According to SAMW President Ian Bentley, this gap leaves Scottish processors paying significantly more. He warned that such sharp rises would affect businesses, their employees, and the wider rural economy that supplies livestock.

Industry Concerns

SAMW has raised the issue directly with senior FSS officials. The association also wrote to Jenni Minto, Scottish Government Minister for Public Health, to express concern. The letter warned that these charges could jeopardise competitiveness and sustainability across the sector.

Business leaders echoed these worries. One owner said he could never ask his customers to accept a 20% price rise. Another added that if FSS were a private supplier, “it would no longer be his supplier.”

Context

FSS explained the increases by citing rising costs. The agency must absorb the 7% civil service wage rise for 2023/24 and adapt to a 35-hour working week from October 2024. This adds a £424,000 cost recovery requirement.

Nevertheless, many in the trade argue the scale of the increases risks undermining Scotland’s meat supply chain at a time when margins remain tight.

Overall, the sharp rise in Scottish meat industry costs 2024 has sparked strong opposition, with calls for urgent review and government intervention.

Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers