Trading out of the Australian market was lower for the trading week ended Thursday June 20.

Restricted market access due to avian influenza cases in the states of Victoria and New South Wales combined with strong cattle slaughter have weighed on the market.

Australia’s cattle slaughter came in slightly behind the previous week’s pace at 129,469 head in the week ended June 14, but was up by 13.90% year on year. Year-to-date slaughter stood at 2,922,171 head.

Trading out of the New Zealand market was quiet, and slower seasonal production may be putting a floor in the nearby market, Fastmarkets understands.

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