National Lamb Day

National Lamb Day is an annual celebration in New Zealand that honors the country’s rich agricultural heritage and the significant role of lamb in its economy and culinary culture. This day commemorates the first shipment of frozen lamb from New Zealand to the United Kingdom, which marked the beginning of New Zealand’s globally renowned food industry.

Quick Facts

When is it?: February 15th
Tagged as: Agricultural celebration, Food industry commemoration
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalLambDay
When was it founded?: The first National Lamb Day was celebrated on February 15th
Who founded it?: Beef + Lamb New Zealand and AgProud

History of National Lamb Day

National Lamb Day traces its origins to a historic event on February 15, 1882, when entrepreneurs William Davidson and Thomas Brydone organized the first shipment of frozen lamb from Port Chalmers, Otago, to London. This pioneering journey of around 5,000 carcasses aboard the ship Dunedin marked the beginning of New Zealand’s multi-billion dollar meat industry, showcasing the high quality of New Zealand lamb to the world.

Timeline

1882: First shipment of frozen lamb from New Zealand to London
2015: First official celebration of National Lamb Day
2024: National Lamb Day gains widespread support across New Zealand

Dates by Next Year

Year	Month	Date	Day
2025	February	15	Saturday
2026	February	15	Sunday
2027	February	15	Monday
2028	February	15	Tuesday
2029	February	15	Thursday
2030	February	15	Friday

Observed

National Lamb Day is celebrated across New Zealand with various events and activities. These include parliamentary lamb BBQs, free lamb tastings at agricultural shows, social media campaigns, and special promotions at restaurants and butcher shops. The day provides an opportunity for the industry to share its innovative story with the wider New Zealand public and for people to enjoy and appreciate the country’s world-famous lamb.

Fun Facts About National Lamb Day

New Zealand lamb is hormone-free and can be offered as antibiotic-free.
Lamb is considered lean meat, with only 175 calories per three-ounce serving.
The sheep industry is one of the oldest organized industries in the world.
New Zealand exports over 384,000 tonnes of lamb and mutton annually, valued at $3.7 billion.
The first shipment of frozen lamb took 98 days to reach London from New Zealand.

Quiz

In which year was the first shipment of frozen lamb sent from New Zealand to London?
What is the date of National Lamb Day?
Which organization leads the planning of National Lamb Day activities along with AgProud?
What was the name of the ship that carried the first frozen lamb shipment?

(Answers: 1. 1882, 2. February 15th, 3. Beef + Lamb New Zealand, 4. Dunedin)

FAQs

Why is National Lamb Day important for New Zealand?
It celebrates the country’s agricultural heritage and the significant contribution of the lamb industry to the economy.
How can I participate in National Lamb Day?
You can celebrate by enjoying a lamb dish, visiting your local butcher, or sharing lamb recipes on social media using the hashtag #NationalLambDay.
Is New Zealand lamb available worldwide?
Yes, New Zealand lamb is exported globally and is renowned for its quality.