UK meat exports hit record high

British red meat exports have hit a record high, boosting its worth to £1.77bn in 2024, underpinned by an increased appetite for beef in Europe and wider markets.

Beef shipments to the EU, including offal, increased in value by 10.9% reaching £577m. Volume also increased by 4.7% reaching 114,000t in 2024.

See also: US beef and pork exporters target UK market

All main EU markets reported growth, particularly France and the Netherlands with shipments worth £202.7m (up 10.6% on the year) and £115.8m (up 24.6% on the year) respectively.

Ghana and South Africa also featured in the top five non-EU destinations for beef exports.

Total beef offal exports were also up 15.2% on the year, adding £70.3m to the sector and an increase of £9.3m over the value recorded in 2023.

The performance of beef exports, AHDB say, was encouraging and highlighted the importance of the European market.

“The success of beef offal exports also illustrates the vital role carcass balance plays in adding value to the UK sector,” said AHDB interim international trade development director Jonathan Eckley.

“Finding markets that prize cuts with low demand on the domestic market plays a pivotal role in adding value to the sector.”

Other meats

While sheepmeat export volumes eased on the year, overall value increased by 6% to nearly £600m.

France remains the UK’s largest market for UK sheepmeat with the value increasing by 12.8% on the year to £330m.

Pigmeat exports also saw a decline compared to 2023, but pig offal shipments to China increased by 19% in volume (78,600t) and were worth £101m (up 1.8%), while exports to the Philippines increased by 35.5% and were worth £24.5m (up 20.5%).