Prices on lamb roasts are the cheapest in recent memory, but it comes as farmers are doing it tough.
Lamb leg roasts are currently going for anywhere between $8.90 - $10 a kg across major supermarkets like Pak’n’Save, New World and Countdown.
Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Kit Arkwright said that a handful of factors were causing the downward trend in pricing.
High inflation and high interest across Europe and the Americas are causing people to buy less meat, and demand for New Zealand lamb from Chinese markets post-Covid has not rebounded as many were expecting, said Arkwright.
“There is a high volume of cheaper Aussie lamb on the international markets which is further putting downward pressure on price.”
Federated Farmers said that as a meat producer and milk producer, the world markets determine prices.
“We’re left trying to produce a premium product at a popcorn price really, peppercorn price, which is pretty tough,” said meat and wool industry group chairperson Toby Williams.
Arkwright added that it was a tough time for farmers.
“If Kiwis want to do their bit, buy local.”
Woolworths meat and seafood manager Nikhil Sawant said that many are doing so, with an almost 50% sales volume increase this week.
“I was in the store earlier this morning, and I saw a very happy customer pick up seven frozen legs of lamb.”
Sawant said that Woolworths is planning to sell more than 200 tonnes of lamb legs this festive season.
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