Red meat exports on the rise

Red meat exports from the UK have enjoyed a strong start to 2019 with shipments surpassing 300,000 tonnes – up 13 per cent on 2018.

More than £711 million worth of beef, lamb and pork products were shipped around the world in the first six months of the year. This is a rise of 8 per cent compared to last year, when red meat exports stood at £658m.

Exports of pork and pig meat products rose from 166,000 to 183,000 tonnes, worth £268m. This was an increase of 15 per cent. Almost half of the shipments were to non-eu third-country markets.

The prevailing African Swine Fever situation has driven demand for imported pork across the Asian region, and particularly in China. From January to June, the UK saw shipments increase by 56 per cent to 57,000 tonnes, representing more than one third of total UK pig meat exports.

Total beef and beef offal exports have risen by 13 per cent to 86,000 tonnes. Within that total, beef volumes increased by nearly 11 per cent, while the rise in beef offal exports was more marked at 21 per cent.

Sheep meat exports grew by 24 per cent to 47,000 tonnes, mainly driven by EU markets, with shipments increasing by 25 per cent.

Commenting on the figures AHDB’S Head of Asia Pacific Jonathan Eckley said the low sterling value had undoubtedly been a driving factor.

“While it’s unclear at present what impact Brexit will have on the EU market for UK red meat exports, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board will continue to look at new markets outside of the EU.”