Australia-Live sheep exports to Middle East booming.

AUSTRALIA-LIVE SHEEP TRADE GOOD..

Exporters of live sheep to the Middle East are expecting strong prices well into the future.

Wellard Rural Exports managing director Steve Meerwald said this week that prices for live sheep were trading "at rates not usually seen until the chill of winter dries up supply."

Suitable wethers have been sourced from the west at $68-$75 and up to $80 of larger lambs.

Live sheep ships are expected into the ports of Adelaide and Portland in coming weeks from various companies.

Mr Meerwald added that demand from the Middle East was continuing "unabated" as the population grew and the cultural and religious desires for fresh meat kept driving strong demand.

"The numbers they are importing are nowhere near the levels they once were," he added.

In reaction to this continued strong demand, the exporter is developing clearer specifications for the trade that will involve rewards and incentives, to "provide clearer pricing signals to live export suppliers" that hit liveweight targets".

Mr Meerwald added how, in general, lighter lambs of about 38 kilograms were being sent whereas the Middle East market was really looking for much heavier wethers of about 65 kilograms and over.

"So we need to meet somewhere in the middle to maximise our opportunity and price, and to sustain the trade into the future," he added.