UK beef exports experience strong start to 2020

It reported that fresh and frozen beef exports totalled 11,300 tonnes, almost 20% more than the same month in the previous year. This is significantly higher than the growth recording in December 2019 (5% up on December 2018).

Exports to Ireland, the UK’s largest export destination increased by 13%, to 3,500 tonnes while shipments to Hong Kong  were up 300 tonnes, the Philippines up 250 tonnes and the Netherlands up 350 tonnes.

Value increase ​ 

UK beef exports also increased in value terms, although not by as much. In January 2020, exports of fresh and frozen beef totalled £38.7m, 11% more than in the same month in the previous year. This was attributed to a 7% decline in the average export unit price.

There was a recorded uplift in shipments of offal and processed beef products. Offal exports increased by 9% yea-on-year to 4,150 tonnes while exports of beef products increased by 11% to 700 tonnes.

Import decline​

UK imports of fresh and frozen beef declined by 14% in January compared to the previous year, to 19,200 tonnes. This equated to a value of £72.7m, 18% less than in the previous year.

Shipments from Ireland, the largest supplier of beef to the UK, fell by 12% to 14,800 tonnes. Imports also recorded a drop from Poland which was down by 200 tonnes, Germany down by 150 tonnes and the Netherlands down by 50 tonnes.

Imports of offal and processed beef products also recorded a decline in volume terms. Offal imports totalled 1,800 tonnes, 23% less than in the previous year, while imports of processed beef products fell by a quarter, to total 4,900 tonnes.