Australian sheep and lamb supply tightens in June, boosting prices

June data from the Sheep and Lamb Yarding Index show a marked tightening of supply across almost all Australian states. Sheep yardings fell in five of six reporting states, with New South Wales dropping from 54% to 30% and Queensland from 78% to 57%. Lamb yardings also declined, New South Wales from 38% to 23% and Queensland from 51% to 35%. The widespread reduction suggests that the modest supply improvement seen in May has been exhausted, leaving the market reliant on a limited pool of stock.

The tighter supply pushed prices higher. Mutton prices rose about 62 c per kilogram to near 875 c/kg, while restocker lamb values gained roughly 70 c. Heavy lamb and trade lamb prices also increased 15‑18 c. Processors are competing more aggressively for the reduced throughput, and producers appear confident that the tight conditions will persist through winter.

Overall, the June figures indicate an increasingly constrained sheep and lamb market nationwide, with price gains reflecting limited livestock availability despite softer export conditions.