Growth in beef and lamb exports supports farmgate prices

Exports of UK lamb and beef rose during the first four months of 2022, according to latest figures.

Hybu Cig Cymru (Meat Promotion Wales) said analysis of HMRC trade data shows that the disruptive effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on international trade appear to be easing.

Figures for January to April 2022 reveal the volume of beef and veal exports increased to 42,500t, up 57% against the same period in 2021.

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The value of these exports was £169.1m – up 93% on the year because of higher farmgate prices.

Meanwhile, 24,500t of sheepmeat were exported from the UK from January to April – a rise of 24.5%.

Increased domestic lamb production, coupled with lamb prices being lower than other key lamb-producing nations, have led to exports being higher so far this year.

Imports

Although red meat imports also increased over the first four months of the year, it was to a lesser extent than the rise in exports.

Beef imports in the first four months of 2022 were 24% higher than the same period last year, with sheepmeat imports up by 19%.

The volume of sheep meat imports is still substantially lower than pre-pandemic levels.

HCC data analyst Glesni Phillips said: “Imports are up somewhat, with an increase in beef coming into the country from Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany, reflecting the fact that the UK is not self-sufficient in beef and that domestic production is flat.

“There is also a rise in lamb imports from Australia, but it should be noted that the volume of imports is still lower than the long-term average, and that exports are outperforming imports, which will help support farmgate prices in the short term.”