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New Zealand beef and lamb roundup
Friday, 27 August 2021
Stock numbers
The New Zealand breeding flock contracted in the year ending 30 June 2021, to 16.48 million head, according to Beef and Lamb NZ. This is around 100,000 head fewer than a year earlier. This contraction is not unexpected, as a drought brought additional ewes forwards for culling earlier in the year.
Despite there being fewer ewes, the lamb crop in New Zealand is forecast to tick up 1.6%, to 23.25 million head. New Zealand has had a warm winter and good scanning rates on average, which is supportive of a good number of lambs being born in the coming months.
Meanwhile the total number of beef cattle in New Zealand has increased by almost 100,000 head to 3.98 million. There has been a slight decrease in the number of breeding cows, with calving percentages expected to be lower in most areas.
Slaughterings
In the year to June, New Zealand sheep meat production stands at 267,200 tonnes, down 2% on the year, according to Ministry of Primary Industries data. This decline has been driven by a reduction in lamb slaughter, while adult sheep kill has increased.
Beef production has increased 6% in the same time period, to 434,800 tonnes. Steer and heifer kill have both recorded noticeable rises, 16% and 19% respectively. Meanwhile, adult cow kill has dropped back slightly on year earlier levels.
Exports
In contrast to production, sheep meat exports have increased 2% on the year, to 270,600 tonnes between January and July 2021. Beef exports have increased 6%, to 327,600 tonnes, along with production.
Currently, only a small volume of New Zealand beef comes into the UK, as it is limited by quota volumes and high tariffs making it uncompetitive on the UK market. New Zealand lamb very much makes an appearance on the UK market. New Zealand farmgate prices have been rallying recently, although they remain below British farmgate prices. However, this does not mean New Zealand lamb is competitive on the British market. Shipping costs are currently high, with freight availability squeezed, and therefore it is likely that this is limiting shipped volumes.
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