UK exports hit £2bn despite tough global trade
© Adobe Stock UK red meat and dairy exports topped £2bn in the first half of 2026, helping underpin domestic prices for farmers.
Latest HMRC figures show UK red meat exports reached £1.1bn between January and June, up 15% year on year, while volumes increased 8% to almost 293,000t.
See also: Global food output set to surge by 2034 as prices decline
Dairy exports were worth £973m, down 12% in value, with volumes falling 11% to 614,000t compared with the same period in 2025.
The figures come against a challenging international trading climate, according to the AHDB.
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB international trade development director, said: “It demonstrates why it is vital to maintain a wide portfolio of markets to maximise carcass utilisation.
“With increases in the value and volume of red meat products being shipped during this period, there is clearly continued demand for world-class British produce.”
Rachael Speed, AHDB senior international trade development manager, added that exports remain important to the UK dairy sector “despite a difficult first half of 2026”, with growth in markets including Saudi Arabia, Asia and Oceania.
Export in numbers
- Beef export values rose 23% year on year to £450m, while sheepmeat exports increased 15% to £401m, largely driven by European demand
- UK pigmeat exports increased 5% in value to £267m
- Dairy exports to Saudi Arabia rose nearly 36% to £14m, with volumes up 33% to 4,215t. Shipments to Asia and Oceania increased 7% to £79m, with volumes up 10% to 29,103t
- Dairy exports to China rose 38% in value to £28m, while volumes increased by 43% to 10,579t
Development opportunities
Mr Eckley said exports played an important role in supporting domestic prices and creating opportunities for UK red meat and dairy.
“This is why investing levy funds in international trade development continues to play a pivotal role in AHDB supporting the red meat and dairy sectors, identifying opportunities for our world-class produce in new markets and maximising opportunities in existing ones.”
AHDB recently hosted representatives from China and the US for UK farm and processor visits covering beef, lamb and pork.
In October, dairy buyers from Asia and Mexico will visit UK businesses, while AHDB will support red meat and dairy exporters attending the big Sial Paris food show (17-21 October).
