UK: Lamb exports soar as EU market performs well in 2023

Some 94 percent of the volume came from European Union markets, with France and Germany receiving an additional 2,500 tonnes and 1,700 tonnes compared to 2022, according to an analysis of HMRC data detailing UK red MEAT EXPORT figures in January-June, as reported in the Hybu Market Bulletin Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) for this month.

“This was despite lamb production in the UK market being less than one per cent higher than last year,” said Glesney Phillips, HEAD of market intelligence, analysis and business intelligence at HCC. “And with UK supply typically strongest in the second half of the year, we expect this strong trading to continue.”

The total volume of lamb (including by-products) exported from the UK in the six months was 43,400 tonnes, up 16 per cent on last year, with total value up 13 per cent to £277.5 million. .

Lamb imports fell by 31 percent (or 12,800 tonnes), with 28,000 tonnes of lamb arriving in the UK in the first half of 2023. Imports of fresh and frozen food also fell significantly, by 33 percent, to about 8,000 tons. New Zealand remains accounted for almost 60 per cent of total fresh and frozen lamb entering the UK.

“The decline appears to reflect changes in global consumer demand which have impacted UK import trends. Most of the produce from New Zealand and Australia goes to CHINA,” Glesney said.