A News Ltd website poll conducted this week showed that Australians still loved their meat, and in particular a roast lamb.

In the poll that attracted more than 24,000 voters, 6177 respondents gave lamb roast the nod, while meat pies came in second with 5741 votes and barbequed sausage in bread slipped in at third with 5317 votes.

Lambs’ popularity came as no surprise to Australian Sheepmeat Council president Kate Joseph.

“Its (lamb) is innovative, healthy, delicious and Australian,” she said.

“Over 55 per cent of what we produce is eaten in Australia.”

Ms Joseph said it was not only Australians who thought lamb was top stuff, but overseas demand continued to skyrocket with supply the only “restriction.”

She said the preference of lamb had grown in recent years.

Meat Livestock Australia (MLA) figures had shown Australians had increased its annual consumption to 11 kilograms last year, up from 10.2kg a head in 2006.

MLA senior brand manager, Janice Byrnes, said lamb roast’s exceptional taste was not the only reason it scored the top spot.

She said the mouth-watering aroma of lamb cooking as it wafts through the air and its place as the meal that brings the family together brings back many a happy memory for Australians.

Roy Morgan research identified lamb roasts represented 26pc of all lamb fresh meat retail sales.

Consumer research conducted for MLA by Millward Brown also shows that lamb is considered the meat that is most ‘loved by Australians’.

A survey of 1105 consumers over October-December 2009 found that 73 per cent of respondents said lamb is ‘Loved by Australians’ which was the highest percentage of all meats (followed by 70pc for beef, 53pc for chicken, 38pc for fish and 33pc for pork).

Last season Australians spent a record $2.2 billion on lamb, up 7pc year on year.