European success for English beef and lamb
Speaking to GlobalMeatNews.com at Sial 2012 in Paris this week, Eblex head of export services Jean-Pierre Garnier said that English beef exports have not seen big increases in volume this year, due to tight supply, but there has been an upwards shift in value.
“We have been pushing higher-value products, particularly in foodservice in Europe,” he said. “It is starting to pay dividends in a number of countries, including Spain, Cyprus and France.”
Garnier said that with an increasing gap between UK prices and those elsewhere in Europe, it was “not worth fighting a price war at retail”. However, he added that with a good supply of grass-fed steer beef, England was ideally placed to supply the higher-value foodservice markets, especially with key competitor Ireland producing more and more dairy beef.
“Quality beef is in short supply around the world and we have a good supply of grass-fed steer beef,” he explained. “So we are in a strong position to get consistent product on plates in Europe.”
English lamb is also performing well, although it is in “quite a different position to beef”, proving popular in retail markets in number of European countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, said Garnier. “We are taking our time, but we have a good position. England is now exporting 38% of its lamb production, which is a record in terms of volume, although not value.”
However, despite European success for English beef and lamb, Garnier said it will be vital for exporters to diversify their markets in the future. “In particular, we have to expand into the fifth quarter if we are to remain competitive,” he added.
Russia and China are priority markets for Eblex, with Russian access for beef and lamb expected in 2013. “We are positive because we have had good collaboration with the Russian veterinary authorities,” said Garnier.
Progress is also being made towards opening up China to English beef and lamb exports, but progress is slower. “We are starting to develop direct access for lamb and beef, but it will take two years. It is a very long and narrow staircase; we have started climbing, but we are only on the first or second step.”
