Australia-Lamb to Japan

AUSTRALIA.

LAMB TO JAPAN.

The low Australian dollar, has seen a surge in the export of lamb from Australia to Japan in 2008.

There were 904 tons of lamb exported in November, and a total of 8,677 tons for the first 11 months of the year.

Mutton exports also increased to 969 tons, mainly primal cuts taken from very heavy hoggets and wethers.

Australia is the only country in the world, with a large supply of wethers (castrated males), that are 4/5 years old.

These tough hardy sheep, are used in the Outback in preference to ewes, that become weak and vulnerable in lambing time, then fair game for the Dingo’s (wild dogs).

The majority of this stock when their mouths break, are used for the live shipping trade to the Middle East.

The Merino sheep are kept solely for the production of fine and superfine wool.

The meat is a by product of the wool.