The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) announced that recent analysis is forecasting a steady red meat and dairy export trade for the UK.
The organisation reiterated how strengthening trade links and maintaining long-term relationships are key to helping drive exports of red meat and dairy produce in European markets.
AHDB highlighted the EU’s importance as a trading partner and how the UK can optimise the effective promotion of red meat and dairy.
The board’s analysis showed that between 2022 and 2024, the EU received 83% of the UK’s exported red meat and dairy.
In 2024, red meat exports to EU were worth £1.4 billion out of a total £1.77 billion, and while dairy exports were worth £1.4 billion out of £1.8 billion.
AHDB said the EU is the UK’s closest and biggest market, and is “of paramount importance for UK sheep meat exports in particular”.
“France remains the UK’s largest market for UK sheep meat exports with the value in 2024 increasing by 12.8% on the year to £330 million,” the board noted.
AHDB
This analysis follows the launch of AHDB’s Quality Meat from Britain website in January, as the organisation aims to provide consistent updates on the UK’s red meat market.
Senior economist at the AHDB, Dr, Amandeep Kaur Purewal, said: “The UK can now negotiate trade deals with countries around the world that present some opportunities.
“However, we must not forget the relationship we have with our No. 1 trading partner, the EU. Long-term relationships and high-quality/premium products are key to future export growth in Europe.”
Head of international marketing at AHDB, Gareth Renowden said: “Although Europe is already the UK’s largest market, we’ve identified further opportunities for our levy payers, which has been underlined by the latest updated research.
“The Quality Meat from Britain website, combined with the updated insight in our ‘Prospects for UK Agri Food Exports’ work, are very much aimed at supporting the ongoing export ambitions of our levy payers.”
