UK: Meat trade collapses

The exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union has led to an increase in bureaucracy and a significant reduction in bilateral trade in livestock and MEAT.

At least, this is what the data of the Brussels Commission say. Meat exports from the EU, as well as trade in live animals, are down 27% compared to January and February 2020, to 164,340 tons carcass weight, according to the data. Imports from the UK fell by half - to 32,260 tons.

Using 2019 as a benchmark, rather than the first two months of the previous year, total EU meat and livestock exports actually fell by 92,060 tonnes, or 35.9%; imports from the UK decreased by 44,530 tons, or 58%. Although only two months of the year is only a fraction, the trend towards a significant decrease in trade volumes in the livestock and meat sectors is clear. The main reasons for this are likely to be new, extensive red tape and logistical problems in border traffic.

The British meat industry has warned of irreversible losses in EXPORT trade with the EU of between 20% and 50% even after Brexit's "teething problems" are ironed out. 

Without exception, all types of livestock suffered from the decline in trade. Pork exports from the EU to the United Kingdom remained the most significant in January and February 2021, at 112,620 tons. However, this is 21% less than in the same period last year. Meanwhile, the export of live pigs stopped completely during this period. Pork imports from the UK to EU member states fell particularly sharply, falling by 63.8% to 10,275 tons.

Brexit also led to losses in mutual beef trade. Exports from the EU to the UK in this segment fell by 38.5% to 39,310t in the first two months of 2021 compared to the same period last year; imports fell by 47.6% to 12,560 tons. EU sheep and goat meat imports showed only marginal improvement, down 27.7% year-on-year to 8,910 tons. Less significant exports to the island almost halved to 2,320 tons.