NATIONAL mutton production increased 18 per cent year-on-year in April, to reach 7,682 tonnes cwt, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, despite WA slaughter falling 37pc.
Although the overall figure was a 23pc fall on March production, total January to April production remained 5pc higher than the corresponding period last year, at 40,227 tonnes cwt.
Behind the increase was a 19pc year-on-year boost to national mutton slaughter, to 348,200 head, driven largely by a 70pc increase in NSW slaughter, at 74,100 head.
Solid increases were also made in Victoria (140,000 head) and SA (52,800 head), jumping 18pc and 22pc, year-on-year, respectively, while WA fell 37pc over the same period, to 36,900 head.
Average mutton carcase weight fell 1pc on both last month and last year, to 22.06 kg.
