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Lamb popularity is mint

Steaks and sausages could be overtaken by lamb this Australia Day as the number one item sizzling away on Rockingham and Kwinana barbecues, according to butcher Jan Hansen.

Mr Hansen runs The Gourmet Butcher at the Rockingham foreshore and said the marketing campaign for lamb products, run by Meat and Livestock Australia, had been steadily increasing sales of the red meat.

“We sell a lot of lamb around Australia Day and because Meat and Livestock have been pushing lamb for a few years, I think Australians really do see a connection with lamb and Australia Day,” he said.

“But you also get the old favourites like sausages and, of course, the steaks and skewers, things like that – something easy for the barbecue.

“We do lamb burgers and beef burgers, which people tend to like as well.”

Mr Hansen said although lamb was the Australia Day front-runner, lots of traditionalists still went for classic barbecue options.

He expected a big number of customers in his shop ahead of Australia Day this year, because it falls on a Saturday.

“We have 13 different types of sausages, so there are heaps to choose from,” Mr Hansen said.

“But the most popular is probably the traditional sausage that we make.

“Most people come in on the day before or on the day before that.

“But being a Saturday this year, we’ll be open.

“Every year we expect a lot. It just seems to get bigger each year because so many people do celebrate it, which is great.”