Australia has recently become the world's largest seller (exporter) of lamb and sheepmeat, surpassing New Zealand in global market share, especially by volume, driven by record production and strong demand from China and other markets, though New Zealand remains a top competitor. While Australia leads in exports, China is the biggest consumer market by volume, and Australia also leads in total lamb production.
According to the statistics released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Mongolians consume an astounding 145 LB per person annually. This insatiable appetite for lamb and mutton stems from a long-standing pastoral tradition. In comparison, Americans consume only 1.3 LB per person yearly.
Export Trends Overview of Top 10 Countries in 2023
In 2023, New Zealand was the top exporting country of Lamb, followed by Australia, Netherlands, Spain, Uruguay, Germany, Chile, Ireland, United Kingdom, China. This ranking is based on available export data and may not include countries with missing records.
With per capita lamb and mutton consumption fairly stable, imports have offset the decline in domestic production. Lamb and mutton imports, which currently account for more than half of U.S. supply, are mainly from Australia (about 75 percent) and New Zealand (about 24 percent).
From pasture to pallet: Costco's lamb has a passport
Take Swift, for example. This meatpacking heavyweight, with roots stretching back to the 1800s, supplies lamb raised on open Australian pastures under carefully regulated welfare standards.
The healthiest meat at Costco isn't typical organic meat—it's New Zealand grass-fed lamb! 🐑🇳🇿 These lambs roam free on lush grasslands and likely live antibiotic-free, thanks to New Zealand's strict health standards and zero tolerance for commercially growing GMOs.
New Zealand lamb is known for its tenderness, due in part to the animals being slaughtered at a younger age. The meat's tenderness, combined with its rich flavor, makes it a premium choice for many. Australian lamb, especially the grain-fed type, often has more marbling, leading to a richer, juicier taste.
If we look at fatty acids, like CLA and omega-3's, lamb comes out victorious and can be seen as marginally healthier. If we look at vitamins, like B12 and zinc, beef comes out victorious. The bottom line is both are excellent and both should be eaten with abundance!
Chicken. Poultry has been the most consumed meat in the United States since the 1990s, with about 98.9 pounds eaten per capita. This figure is expected to grow to 107.5 pounds per capita by the year 2033.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, pork is the most widely eaten meat in the world (36%) followed by poultry (33%), beef (24%), and goats/sheep (5%).
Because so few states in America initially raised sheep, the cost for lamb meat would be higher than other meats. This cost barrier prevented many Americans from even trying lamb meat.
While trade disputes between Australia and China in 2020 stemmed from geopolitical tensions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China's most recent tariff announcement is mainly aimed at appeasing China's domestic producers.
Lamb Consumption by Country 2025
Most lambs are brought to market at about 6 to 8 months old. A lamb weighs about 140 pounds and yields approximately 46 to 49 pounds of edible lean retail lamb cuts, semi-boneless.
Many people feel that New Zealand or Australian is the best and others feel there is no lamb other than American and are willing to pay the premium price for it. Lamb from each region has its own distinguishing characteristics including flavor, size and price.
The most unhealthy meats are processed meats (bacon, hot dogs, salami, deli meats) due to high salt, fat, and preservatives (nitrates/nitrites) linked to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; followed by fatty red meats (beef, lamb, pork) and charred/burnt meats cooked at high temperatures, which form carcinogens; while even poultry becomes unhealthy with skin, heavy breading, and high sodium.
Lamb is full of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, iron and zinc. It was also found that lamb has more omega-3 fatty acids compared with other meats such as beef. You are probably aware that omega-3 promotes joint, heart and brain health, but did you know it can also help you sleep better?
How Often Should You Eat Lamb Meat? Deciding how often to include lamb meat in your diet depends on several factors, including your dietary goals, nutritional needs, and personal preferences. In general, lamb can be eaten as part of a balanced diet a few times a week. The key is moderation and variety.
“The blunt commercial reality is that New Zealand lamb is cheaper to source, and therefore cheaper to sell, than British lamb.
It used to be that once someone's salary hit six digits, they would be considered highly paid. But there are now about a dozen sectors paying at least a median $100,000. Over the past 10 years, the median wage across New Zealand has risen from about $67,000 – depending how you measure it – to nearly $80,000.
Most American lamb comes form the US Midwest. American lamb is usually larger and has the highest quality and consistency. It is raised eating grass and finished with high quality grain. The "grain" makes a world of a difference.
New Zealand Whole Leg of Lamb. Products are charged by exact weight in store. For accurate pricing see pack.
Yes, roughly 80% (or around 78%) of New Zealand's land is considered uninhabited, not because it's truly barren, but due to challenging terrain like mountains, vast protected areas (National Parks), and large expanses of farmland managed by few people, causing most of the population to cluster along the coasts and in major cities like Auckland.
The majority of American Lamb is Halal Certified. Halal certification may or may not be marked on lamb packaging. Suppliers will provide information on halal certification documentation on request.