Less sheep meat is being exported through Port Otago, partly because of a cold snap that hit the South Island last Spring, reducing the volume of lambs.
The port's commercial manager, Peter Brown, says another reason for the fall is that farms are continuing to convert to dairy.
He says more timber is going through the port as well as a steady amount of dairy products.
Mr Brown believes that should compensate for the drop in meat exports.
He says the export season got off to a slow start but is expected to pick up from next month.
