Consumption of lamb in Iceland in August totalled 723 tonnes, 48 percent higher than in August of last year, Morgunblaðið reports. Exports totalled 225 tonnes, 131 percent higher than in August of last year.
Over ISK 300 million (USD 2.8 million/EUR 2.4 million) was spent on a marketing campaign to combat overproduction of lamb. The figure includes money from government funds, as well as unused funds from livestock contracts and corresponding slaughter licenses. Steinþór Skúlason, CEO of Slaturfélag Suðurlands (SS), a producers’ co-operative which operates the largest slaughterhouse in Iceland, considers the campaign successful.
Since spring, 800 tonnes of lamb have been exported. Reserves of lamb at the end of August were therefore much lower than expected: 1.124 tonnes.
Increased tourist demand is considered one of the reasons behind the rise in domestic consumption of lamb, which was 40 percent higher than in August of 2015.
