Bad year for French lamb imports

Imports of lamb into France from all of its major supplies have fallen significantly in the first half of the year, according to data from UK levy board AHDB Beef & Lamb. Imports from New Zealand have dropped by 17% to 6,700 tonnes (t); shipments from Ireland have dropped by 19%; and imports from the UK – its largest supplier – have fallen by 18%.

Spain has been the only major lamb producer to see French imports rise between January and May, with volumes of lamb rising 23% to 4,900t.

With overall imports of lamb from France falling, the average unit value of lamb imports from France in euros has shrunk by 3%. This means the value of sheet meat imports were down by 13% at €189.1m, according to AHDB Beef & Lamb.

‘Pressure’​

Despite the fall in imports, domestic production has been rampant, rising by 8% to levels not enjoyed since 2011. However, domestic producers have not benefited from the rise in production as consumers are eating less lamb and prices have increased.

“French imports have been falling as a result of higher domestic production combined with a fall in consumption in the country,​” explained Mark Kozlowski, senior analyst, AHDB Beef & Lamb . “There has also been pressure placed on French retailers to stock less imported products over the past year, this has resulted in some major retailers increasing their commitments to domestic sourcing and therefore reducing imports.​”

Sheep meat consumption in France has declined by 4% compared to the same period a year ago.