Chinese demand for lamb is now a key influence on lamb prices across the globe. In the first quarter of 2019, China took 9% more lamb and spent 22% more buying it, according to customs data.

The majority of the imports came from Australia, but there is a growing presence from New Zealand.

Domestic prices were rising towards the end of 2018, but have since cooled, according to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture.

Rebecca Oborne, market analyst at AHDB, said: “Historically, beef has carried a price premium, but this has been eroded over the past 18 months. Industry reports suggest there isn’t much more room for prices in China to rise, but that doesn’t mean they will fall either.”