UK increased mutton imports by 17% in 2022

The main driver of the growth was a near-fourfold increase in supplies from Ireland, with Ireland overtaking Australia to become the UK's second-largest supplier of mutton in 2022. Monthly data show that volumes for the entire year were above 2021 levels. 

In contrast, total shipments from New Zealand remained relatively stable (+900 tons). Most sheep meat imported from New Zealand is frozen, but as previously documented, in 2022 the range of imported products showed a more pronounced shift towards frozen meat rather than fresh. This was especially noticeable in March-April, when (frozen) imports usually increased sharply to meet Easter demand. Total imports from New Zealand did increase at this time, but not as much as in previous years, as growth was driven by fresh produce. During the summer, volumes rose year-on-year and then fell in the fourth quarter.

Imports of Australian products increased slightly (+6%, +500 tons). As in the case of New Zealand, growth was driven primarily by frozen products, but also by frozen boneless lamb. Growth occurred especially in the first half of the year, as trade weakened in the second half of the year.

Trade data for December showed a typical seasonal increase in exports compared to November (+8%, +500 tons) with volumes very close to the same month a year ago (-2%). Exports to France were flat since November but remained lower year on year. This outweighed the annual increase in exports to other countries in December, including Germany, Belgium, Ireland and Italy.

For the whole of 2022, fresh and frozen lamb exports from the UK amounted to 75,300 tons, which is 8% (+5,400 tons) more than in 2021. Overall, shipments to the EU increased by 9% (5,800 tons) compared to last year, in particular due to trade with Ireland, Germany and Belgium. Exports to non-EU countries remained a small share of the total and fell further in 2022, mainly due to lower exports to Hong Kong.