France increases intake of UK beef
Volumes rose to 11,350 tonnes, with the value of those exports up 11% it said.
Eblex has put the rise largely down to increased shipments of boneless product, "which is of higher value than our traditional export product mix of largely manufacturing beef".
The organisation is currently showcasing Quality Standard beef and lamb at the SIA International Agricultural Show in Paris.
Debbie Butcher, senior market analyst – sheep and beef, Eblex, said exports had gone up as a result of the organisation "actively marketing the product". She said France was a target market for Eblex, with events such as SIA providing a good platform to showcase the products.
"A refocus on higher-value products, and the premiumisation of UK beef abroad, is certainly a strategy the sector will be focusing on," she said.
Butcher added: "France is a growing market for us, and one we’re continuing to focus on in the future."
Rémi Fourrier, Eblex export manager in France, added: "SIA is a shop window for our industry to highlight Quality Standard beef and lamb to the widest possible audience. We have put a lot of effort into positioning Quality Standard beef as a premium product in the French market and will continue to do so.
"The opportunity for delegates to sample recipes was particularly poignant this year for beef, given the latest UK export figures to France, which are very encouraging."
