America's Independence Day, July 4, is regarded as the number one "grilling holiday" in the United States and this year, Aussie lamb will be hitting American hotplates in record numbers.

The US has become Australia's most valuable overseas market for lamb, with exports rising sharply over the last two years to be worth $988 million in 2021.

In the year to date, from January to May, the US was easily Australia's biggest market for lamb, taking 30,568 tonnes — a 13 per cent increase year-on-year.

What's driving America's growing appetite for Aussie lamb?

Meat and Livestock Australia's regional manager for North America, Doug McNicholl, said American consumers experimented with different proteins during the COVID period to "break the monotony of lockdowns", with lamb consumption lifting during that period. 

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"Demand is mostly coming from ethnically diverse, affluent consumers in places like New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Miami, and Chicago," he said.

Speaking to Landline last year, meat analyst Simon Quilty said the rise of lamb in the US had been remarkable and that "lamb was the new Wagyu".

"Not because of taste reasons, but because it truly is starting to sit in that niche end of the market, and being somewhat resistant to fluctuations as commodities go up and down," he said.

Lamb's independence day

According to research firm Numerator, around 188 million Americans plan to grill or barbecue over the July 4 holiday period.

Thomas Foods USA president Frank Tarantino said he expected Aussie lamb to feature heavily at family barbecues this week.

"Aussie lamb had long been available on most fine dining restaurants in the US, but during the pandemic Americans soon found out that grilling Aussie lamb chops at home is not that intimidating," he said.

"Fresh Aussie lamb chops and ground lamb for burgers have come in strong for the 4th of July, thus proving Aussie lamb is here to stay on grills across America."

Mr Tarantino said out of all the major meat proteins sold at US supermarkets during the pandemic, Aussie lamb showed the largest growth.

Sheep Producers Australia CEO Bonnie Skinner said it was an exciting time for the industry to see American millennials and home chefs embracing Aussie lamb and having an interest in "the paddock to plate story".

"With the national flock predicted to grow by 5 per cent this year, Australian producers are well positioned to supply strong global demand for our product," she said.