September Lamb Imports
Up 54%, Mutton Up 63%

WASHINGTON —(USDA)— The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that lamb meat imports during September were 54 percent more than a year ago at 3144 metric tons, or around 6.9 million pounds. Mutton and goat meat imports were up 63 percent at 1780 metric tons, or 3.9 million pounds.

The year to date volume of lamb meat was up nine percent at 28,471 metric tons, just 5380 mt short of the record volume imported in 1999. Mutton and goat imports are up 48 percent at 15,603 mt, just 4175 mt short of the record set in 1998.

September lamb imports included 1818 metric tons from Australia and 1284 from New Zealand. The year to date volume from Australia is up 13 percent at 16,862 mt, while New Zealand shipments are up only slightly at 11,136 mt.

Mutton and goat imports in September included 1740 mt from Australia and 40 mt from New Zealand. The year to date volume from Australia was up 52 percent at 15,076 mt, while New Zealand shipments were down 18 percent at 513 mt.