F&Mclobbers meat exports
F&Mclobbers meat exports
By James Garner
MEAT exports took a severe hammering last year with recent figures from an export marketing agency revealing that sales abroad fell to just £427m in 2001, largely due to foot-and-mouth restrictions.
The figures from Food from Britain follow two years of dwindling meat sales overseas that have seen exports slump by 35% in the last two years, from over £650m in 1999. The amount of dairy produce sold overseas also dropped to £612m, 11% lower than £690m sold abroad in 1999.
However, a spokesman for Food from Britain said that it was optimistic that this years figures would be a lot better than last. In total, Britains food and drink exports amounted to £8.8bn, with some sectors performing well.
Bucking the trend in the dairy sector was cheese, which managed to increase its exports by 20%, fairing particularly well in Far Eastern markets like Japan.
Last years dramatic fall in meat exports, which was just over £200m lower than the £630m sold in 2000, was largely a result of a meat export ban to Europe on lamb and pork because of F&M.
The pork ban was lifted in October last year, with sheep meat following later. Trade in pork was worth just £38m, compared with £143m in 2000. The MLC says the last time pig exports were so low was in 1984.
But prospects of the UK boosting its meat sales abroad and taking pressure off domestic supplies is unlikely, according to industry pundits.
MLC sheep economist Jane Connor warns: "The continuing strength of the pound affects our competitiveness and we are producing lower volumes.
"Lamb production has been severely undermined by F&M, the breeding flock is 13% down while pig meat has fallen to its lowest ever level of production. So theres less scope in securing export markets."
Even so, a domestic surplus in lamb will still mean that exports remain important to UK prices with France a crucial market. The MLC forecasts 60,000t of sheep meat exports this year, two-thirds of pre-F&M levels. This compares with last years 30,400t of lamb.
In January 2002, 4000t of lamb was sold abroad, with 75% going to France. Corresponding levels in 2001, saw 10,000t, with 80% bought by the French.
The MLC in its latest edition of the Sheep Market Outlook says much of the future for the sheep market will depend on Frances decision on spinal cord removal from Jul 1. *
However, the organisation predicts further recovery in exports in 2003 as supplies grow and trade links are re-established.