Sheep Industry News September 2025

to May and June, then this could signal a slowing of shipments through the second half of the year. Lamb exports through the first half of the year were 785 thou sand pounds, an increase of 361 thousand pounds (+85.2%) from the same period in 2024. Lamb exports in May and June were both over 200 thousand pounds, which is significant because the last time lamb exports were above that level was December 2019 (239 million pounds). Mutton exports totaled just over 3.0 mil lion pounds through the first six months of the year, an increase of 812 thousand pounds (+36.4%) from the previous year. Wool Update Wool prices in July, on a weekly basis, generally saw favorable improvement. The Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) rose about +1.5% from June to July. Prices for 17- and 18-micron wool increased about +1% to +2% month over month while the 19-micron wool price decreased marginally less than -1% from June to July. Prices for 20- to 22-micron wool reported increases that ranged from +2% to nearly +3% in July when compared to June prices. Stronger price increases were seen for 25- to 32-mi cron wool ranging from +5% to more than +8% from June to July. Compared to a year ago, 17- to 22-micron wool prices in July increased about +1% to almost 9%, while 25- to 32-micron wool prices posted double-digits gains ranging from +13% to +23%. In July, the Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI)

increased about +9% compared to a year ago. Australian wool supplies have increased leading up to the mid year auction recess. The number of bales offered in July ranged from 23,623 to 37,946, with the later number of bales offered came the last week of July. This was the highest weekly number of bales offered since the first week of May when it was reported at 40,295 bales. Compared to June, the number of bales offered in July was an increase of nearly +16%. Looking ahead, support for wool prices will be driven in part by global demand for wool, meaning exchange rates will also remain a factor. The Australian dollar has seen some weakening in recent weeks compared to a year ago, which is supportive for Australian wool prices.

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September 2025 • Sheep Industry News • 7