UK continues to increase beef exports in May

According to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) analyst Hannah Clarke, it was a good year for UK beef exports, which continued to perform strongly in May with 11,000 tons shipped. Despite a 3% decline compared to April, volumes are up 29% (2,500 tons) compared to May 2021.

Deliveries increased mainly to France and the Netherlands compared to last year, but also to Ireland and Spain. This outweighed lower shipments to Hong Kong and the Philippines for the month.

Since the beginning of the year (January-May), shipments amounted to 54,000 tons, which is 52% more compared to the same period last year. The total value of these deliveries was £222.3m (£1 = $1.20 ) , nearly double the year-over-year, with the average EXPORT price up 25%.

The UK imported 19,700 tons of fresh and frozen beef in May, down 3% from April but up 13% (2,300 tons) from May 2021.

Year-on-year shipments increased mainly from Germany and Ireland, although more beef also came from the Netherlands and France. This increase outweighed lower volumes from Uruguay, New Zealand, Italy and Spain.

Since the beginning of the year (January-May), beef imports have reached 98,100 tons, which is 22% (17,800 tons) more than in the same period a year ago. In terms of cuts, the increase was mainly in boneless beef, while the share of carcasses in the supply decreased.

The average price of these shipments in January-May 2022 increased by 20% compared to the previous year, for a total value of £498.4m (+47% year-on-year).