Lamb prices steady in Jan 2026, driven by strong demand and supply issues in eastern Australia.

Lamb prices held steady across most Australian regions in early January 2026, with strong demand for mid- to top-quality lambs driving firm prices, especially in Victoria and New South Wales. Supply constraints due to bushfire impacts and reduced processing weeks weighed on availability, while tighter supply from last year’s liquidation supported mutton prices in the east. Western Australia saw slight declines, consistent with seasonal trends. Despite holiday disruptions and lower participation, markets remained orderly, with no major disruptions reported. Industry observers expect clearer signals as normal processing resumes.