State of the Industry: Lamb industry gauges growth potential
In the United States, there are approximately 70,000 sheep producers, which produce about 200 million pounds of lamb each year for the U.S. market. Roughly 40% of American lamb is sold into foodservice and 60% into retail. Lamb imports from Australia and New Zealand account for 50% of the lamb consumed in the U.S.
The total lamb available in the U.S. is down — both domestic production and imports. Tight supplies and strong demand have resulted in record high lamb prices. To meet demand and ensure domestic lamb maintains and expands market share, the industry has developed a strategy to increase domestic sheep production called, Let’s Grow with twoPLUS.