The Western Australian (WA) sheep and wool industry is an important contributor to the state's economy. In 2022/23, the industry accounted for 44% of the value of all livestock industries in WA.
At a glance
The WA sheep and wool industry:
- Flock size: 12.4 million (July 2022)
- Flock composition: 59% ewes, 34% lambs, 5% wethers and 2% rams (July 2023)
- Sheep turn-off: 6.4 million head (slaughter, live export and interstate transfers) (2023-24)
- Total gross production value: $1.14 billion (2022-23)
- Wool $586 million
- Sheep meat $558 million
Exports (2024)
- Sheep meat: $664.1 million/106.6 million kg
- Largest markets: China, USA and Malaysia
- Live: $40.8 million/423,300 head
- Largest markets: Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia
- Wool: $611.0 million/65 million kg