UK red meat exports hit £860m in first half of 2024

Latest figures from HMRC found the total volume of UK red meat exports from January to June were up 2% on the year to 260,000 tonnes, with value up 2% on the same period in 2023.

Demand from non-EU markets – as well as major markets in northern Europe – helped increase total beef shipments for the period by 11% in both value and volume. In fact, volume shipments to non-EU markets in the fast half of the year were up 37% on 2023 levels.

Beef exports to France and the Netherlands, the UK’s biggest markets in the EU, were up 6% and 15% respectively.

Encouraging figures

Jonathan Eckley, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) head of international trade development, said: “The figures for total red meat exports in the first half of 2024 are encouraging. Last year red meat exports totalled £1.7bn for the year, equalling the record set in 2022, and exporters are on target to achieve that again in 2024.​

“Beef exports have been the standout success in the first half of 2024. Demand from our major markets in northern Europe such as France and the Netherlands has remained robust, while the increase in volume of shipments to non-EU markets, particularly in West Africa, illustrates again the importance of carcase balance with beef offal volumes up 10%.”​

Sheep meat exports didn’t see the same success as beef, with volume down 8% in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year. However, value did see a 9% increase, reflecting tight supplies and high livestock prices.

Exports of sheep meat to the Netherlands saw the biggest growth during the reported period, up 60% to £12m. France was once again the largest importer with sales worth £163m, followed by Belgium at £41m.

Under pressure

“Sheep meat exports have been under pressure in the first half of the year due to tight production, but are still critical to the sector, with 30% being exported, equalling exports from last year,”​ Eckley added. “As we have seen with beef, demand has held up in several of our major European markets, demonstrating continuing robust demand for quality British lamb.”​

Pig meat export volumes were also down in the first half of 2024 (-2%) but markets where the AHDB have been active in recently have seen growth – up 23% in the Philippines where the group attended the WOFEX trade show earlier this year, and up 4% in the US.

“While it’s always disappointing to see a fall in volume, there are some positive signals, highlighted by the volume increases to the Philippines and the US,”​ Eckley continued.

“Like beef, carcase balance remains an important factor for the pork sector, and volumes of fifth quarter products exported in the first half of the year are level with the same period in 2023 which is encouraging.”​