The Western Australian (WA) sheep and wool industry is an important contributor to the state’s economy. In 2024-25 it accounted for 41% of the value of all livestock industries in WA.
At a glance
The WA sheep and wool industry:
- Flock size: 11.5 million (July 2024 - ABS)
- Flock composition: 62% ewes, 29% lambs, 8% wethers and 2% rams (July 2024 - ABARES)
- Sheep turn-off: 5.9 million head (slaughter, live export and interstate transfers) (2024-25)
- Farm gate value: $1 billion (2024-25 - ABS)
- Wool $414 million
- Sheep meat $593 million
Exports (2025)
- Sheep meat: $764 million/98 million kg
- Largest markets: China, USA and Malaysia
- Live: $44 million/318,000 head
- Largest markets: Kuwait, Jordan and Qatar
- Wool: $580 million/58 million kg
Sheep industry update
Quarterly data on sheep turn‑off, covering changes in WA slaughter, live exports and interstate transfers, and the impacts these may have on the WA sheep flock.
View the latest update