Market trends: Beef exports increase on back of higher availability

UK exports of fresh and frozen beef increased by almost 20% between January and July, compared to the same period last year.

With production up by 10%, larger suppliers found new markets in the EU and further afield. Trade with The Netherlands grew by 27%, with sales to Ireland, France, Italy, Germany and Denmark also increasing, according to Northern Ireland’s Livestock and Meat Commission.

“UK beef exporters have probably benefited to some extent from the reduced activity of Brazilian exporters in the EU market,” said the commission’s latest report. Beef exports to non-EU countries also increased, by around a third, in the first seven months of the year. Although still only 3% of overall trade, non-EU destinations offered a valuable opportunity to increase sales of “fifth quarter” (non-meat) products, it added.

Offal exports reached 20,000t in the first seven months of the year, 50% more than last year. “If export certification arrangements with more of these third country markets can be agreed, then UK processors and traders will have the opportunity to enhance returns from the carcass by growing this trade. This has the potential to provide benefits to producers.”