Changing demographics in N.L. are driving demand for local lamb
Farmers in Newfoundland and Labrador are struggling to meet a surge in demand for local lamb, driven largely by changing demographics and international communities. Local grocery owners are prioritizing local meat but often face supply shortages.
Why it matters
It illustrates how shifting population demographics influence local agricultural markets and food supply chains.
Lambs and ewes are piled in for the voyage, as farmers work together for the animals' yearly vacation.
The sheep are being ferried to graze on nearby Ship Island. There, they’ll be safe from predators, and moving them will free up the farmers’ land to grow hay they’ll need badly this winter.
This is part of what it takes to raise sheep in Newfoundland, and farmers say lamb is a product customers can’t get enough of these days.
"We could all easily double our production and still not meet market challenges and or demands," sheep farmer David Hayes told CBC news.
N.L. farmers struggle to meet big demand for lamb
"Lamb is in very high demand now. Mostly a lot of new Canadians because it's a big part of their diet where it wasn't part of our traditional diet here," Hayes said.
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