How Aussie meat favourite became a ‘luxury’ buy

How Aussie meat favourite became a ‘luxury’ buy

Sydney butcher Grant Hilliard reports that lamb prices have reached their highest point in two decades, transforming the meat from a traditional staple into a luxury item. This surge is driven by a combination of domestic structural issues and surging international demand, with Australian sheep flock numbers hitting century-low levels. Many farmers are now prioritizing crop cultivation over sheep farming to capitalize on high grain prices, further reducing meat supply. Analyst Angus Gidley-Baird from RaboResearch describes the situation as a "perfect storm" of challenges affecting the industry. Consequently, the once affordable and accessible cutlet is now viewed as an expensive delicacy by many consumers.