NFU talks trade with New Zealand

THE NFU has identified key trends after a meeting with New Zealand meat industry representatives.

The NFU’s chief livestock adviser, John Royle, said: “Brexit leaves many unanswered questions for both NZ and UK sheep meat industries, especially with the uncertainty surrounding future trade deals and the impact on farm profitability.

“The challenge presented by declining consumption as consumers switch to alternative protein sources and competition from other sectors for land was an issue for both countries. John Laughlin (chairman of the NZ meat industry association) suggested that new marketing initiatives are desperately needed for lamb products, a focus on health and nutrition as well as the wider messaging around the environmental benefits of sheep production was key to driving stability in established markets.”

The NFU learned how New Zealand lamb legs come to the UK and French markets, racks to the US, and forequarters go to the Middle East.

John added that New Zealand was still driving a lot of focus into Chinese markets with continued growth in the middle class population providing further opportunities to increase the demand for red meat.

He said that it was a timely reminder that now more than ever before Defra and the AHDB have a huge role to play in opening markets for the UK produce.