Milestone Achieved: Poultry Surpasses Sheep Meat in Historic Economic Shift for Australia

In a historic twist of economic fate, chicken meat has risen to surpass lamb in value for the frst time in Australia’s annals, marking a monumental shift in the nation’s agricultural landscape.

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a signifcant uptick in the gross value of poultry, juxtaposed against a slump in the lamb and sheep meat sector.

During the December quarter, poultry slaughter edged up by a modest 0.02 percent, reaching an impressive $999.8 million. In stark contrast, lamb and sheep meat experienced a notable decline, plummeting by 7.6 percent to $883.5 million. According to Rob Walter, the head of agricultural statistics at ABS, last year’s tumultuous lamb market coupled with the sustained upward trajectory of chicken meat value were instrumental in effecting this paradigm shift.

“Poultry asserted its dominance over sheep and lambs in the September quarter, a trend that has persisted and intensifed through to December, while sheep and lambs continued their downward trajectory,” prices, particularly evident during the spring of 2023, saw a staggering drop of almost half compared to the previous year, with distressing reports of sheep fetching a mere relatively stable, owing to the industry’s meticulously controlled supply chain.

• To sum up: Chicken meat’s value now exceeds lamb’s for the frst time, as per ABS data.

• Turbulence in the lamb supply chain from farm to supermarket contributed to declining sheep meat value.

• Chicken meat’s gross value has exhibited consistent, gradual growth over the years.

Mary Wu, the chief executive of the remarked Walter. The prolonged growth in the value of poultry underscores a steady upward trend observed over recent years, juxtaposed against the volatile fuctuations witnessed in the sheep and lamb market.

The volatility in lamb

$1 each. Despite this alarming downturn, supermarket prices exhibited a lag in refecting the saleyard prices, a phenomenon elucidated by Walter in light of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Conversely, the price of poultry remained

Against this backdrop, lamb roasts command prices ranging from $10 to $14 per kilo in major supermarkets, a marked increase from $8 per kilo observed earlier in January. In contrast, chicken breast retails at $11 per kilo in supermarket delis, with roast chickens priced at $4.50 per kilo, a signifcant reduction from December 2023.

Australian Chicken Meat Federation, attributes the industry’s resilience and growth to its unwavering commitment to supply reliability and consumer satisfaction.

With Australians consuming an average of 50 kilograms of chicken meat annually, the industry’s steadfast expansion underscores its vital role in meeting burgeoning demand. Despite recent regulatory recommendations for enhanced poultry welfare standards, Wu reassures consumers that such measures are unlikely to impact supermarket prices or the overall value of chicken meat. The industry’s proactive investments in infrastructure align with impending legislative changes, ensuring a seamless transition without compromising affordability or quality. As poultry reigns supreme in Australia’s culinary landscape, the industry’s steadfast growth trajectory heralds a promising future characterized by reliability, affordability, and unwavering consumer satisfaction.