Agribusiness News March 2025 – Sheep

Ramadan Ramping Up Trade

Ramadan is set to commence on Friday 28^th February (depending on the sighting of the moon), this month-long fasting festival is set to end on the 30^th March, and then Eid-al-Adha on the 31^st to celebrate the end of Ramadan.  The timing of this festival is very significant for the sheep sector, with a huge demand often being seen at this time for both lambs and ewes.  For the week ending 15/02/25 the SQQ stood at 736.9p/kg DW, 47p/kg DW increase on the same week last year.

Slaughter numbers have been increasing with the week ending 15/02/2025 seeing 207,100 head of lambs, sum 14,300 up on the week.  However, slaughter numbers remain 1% down on the year at the current time.

Breeding sales are showing good demand for females, showing confidence in the sector following high prices in recent years.  The flock has declined over recent years, forced further with producers cashing in on high priced ewe lambs prime last year.  Over the coming months we will keep a close eye on producers’ decisions with these females this year, but we could see the national flock increase slightly due to this confidence in the sector.

Import Figures Jump

AHDB have recently reported total import and export figures for sheep meat in 2024.  Imports have increased quite significantly due to a low domestic supply, high farmgate price and demand generated through religious festivals.  These imports of sheep meat in 2024 were 37% higher than in 2023, reaching 76,500 tonnes.  Imports from New Zealand rose 51% to 45,800 tonnes and Australia rose 62% to 19,000 tonnes.  The largest import months coincided with religious festivals, Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr in March and June.

Australia had access to import 30,556 tonnes of sheep meat with no tariff under the free trade agreement; 62% of this was imported. With China and the Middle East being their main line for export.  The total imported to the UK from Australia in 2024, accounted for only 3% of their total export volume.

Exports of sheep meat from the UK dropped on the year by 5% to 86,800 tonnes, however the value showed an increase of 6% on the year.

Social Media Opportunities?

Meat and Livestock Australia are currently seeking participants for their Social Media Academy.  In this programme red meat ambassadors participate in workshops to learn how to build an online community and a following, at TikTok head offices in Melbourne.  The aim is to assist in building trust with red meat customers, and to highlight best practice for caring for livestock and the environment.  20.8 million or 78.3% of the Australian population are on social media; 40% of these are on TikTok, with approximately 42 hours+/month being spent on the platform.

Looking at UK figures, latest figures show 56.2 million or 82.8% of our population are on social media; 54% of these are on TikTok, with the largest growing group being 45-54 year olds.  Is there an opportunity here for the UK to learn from Australia? It will be interesting to watch the content created #farmtok

Kirsten Williams; kirsten.williams@sac.co.uk; 07798617293

Week ending	GB deadweight (p/kg)				Scottish auction (p/kg)				Ewes (£/hd)
	16.5 – 21.5kg								Scottish
	R3L	Change on week	Diff over R2	Diff over R3H	Med.	Change on week	Diff over stan.	Diff over heavy	All
1-Feb-25	716.6	-21.8	2.3	0.4	338.1	14.5	7.6	15	119.44
8-Feb-25	734.2	17.6	-0.5	-0.1	344.2	6.1	8.6	12.8	123.92
15-Feb-25	742.6	8.4	1.2	-0.2	340.3	-3.9	15	16.1	113.86

Source: AHDB and IAAS

Deadweight prices may be provisional.  Auction price reporting week is slightly different to the deadweight week.

Standard weight 32.1 – 39.0kg; Medium weight 39.1 – 45.5kg; Heavy 45.6 – 52.0kg

Note: From 11^th May, prices transition to new season lambs