Harsh climatic conditions at lambing in New Zealand mean that the sheep flock is likely to fall in 2011 and despite the predicted growth in Australia there is unlikely to be an overall growth in sheep numbers in the southern hemisphere. Other countries, including some in the EU, are reported to rebuilding flocks but this will take time and numbers are not expected to grow in 2011. Reports for both Uruguay and the United States indicate stabilisation at best. Continued product shortages which have sofar resulted in exceptional prices in most markets during 2010 and early 2011 are expected to continue for the immediate future. Heavy losses of lambs in New Zealand last September are resulting in a sharp fall in lamb production in 2010/2011 so offsetting some of the expected increase in Australia. South American production continued to decline in 2010 as smaller breeding flocks and some rebuilding resulted in lower slaughterings.
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