The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) was recently joined by six UK export businesses for a five-day mission to South Africa.
The exporters joined AHDB to meet with importers and distributors of beef and pork in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
The visit also included a reception at the Trade Commissioner’s residence in Johannesburg, coordinated in partnership with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
In the first half of 2024 the UK reportedly shipped 2,772 tonnes of beef worth £2.4 million to South Africa - up 50% in volume and 27% in value on the year. In the same period 3,167 tonnes of pig meat worth £5.4 million were also exported - up 34% in volume and 52% on the year respectively.
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB head of international trade development, said: “International trade development is one of the cornerstones of AHDB’s activities, working together with industry and Government to expand red meat and dairy exports around the world.
“South Africa presents a number of opportunities for UK exports of beef and pork and the figures for the first half of this year are encouraging. This mission highlights our ongoing commitment to support exporters develop global opportunities for red meat exports across a broad portfolio of international markets. It also provides the platform for us to continue to enhance the UK’s reputation as supplier of high-quality red meat and variety meat.”
This comes as the South Africa poultry ban was recently lifted.
