The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has observed a 71% increase on the year in UK beef export volumes to the US following the first half of 2026.
It went on to highlight that nearly 40% of pig meat exports were shipped to China in the same period. AHDB recently hosted two inward missions to showcase the standards of production in the UK supply chain to importers and buyers from both China and the US.
A delegation of 11 from China, including representatives from six importing companies, were invited to the UK with a focus on the pig meat sector, gaining first-hand insight into British production standards and supply chains. The delegation also included the vice president of The China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA), which represents about 75% of the country’s importers.
Following the inward mission from China, four senior representatives from the US food service sector headed to the UK to learn more about beef, sheep meat and pig meat production during a week-long visit, which covered farm and processor visits. Both missions also included meetings with exporters and other industry stakeholders, as well as butchery demonstrations highlighting the versatility and quality of British meat.
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB international trade development director, and AHDB Pork sector director Mark Haighton attended the World Pork Conference in Qingdao, co-hosted by the International Meat Secretariat (IMS) and the China Meat Association. AHDB said the visit provided the opportunity for them to continue building relationships with the Chinese meat industry.
The US inward mission also followed AHDB chair Emily Norton joining former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, and other industry leaders earlier this year for the UK’s first dedicated agri-food trade mission to Washington DC. The visit coincided with the first tariff-free shipment of British beef arriving in the US as part of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, in which both countries agreed to implement a reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef.
“British livestock farming has a fantastic story to tell and there is no substitute for bringing buyers here to taste our produce.”
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB
Eckley commented: “British livestock farming and red meat produce has a superb international reputation in terms of both quality and standards of production. This is reflected in the ongoing demand for beef, sheep meat and pig meat, which in the first half of this year saw total UK exports of red meat worth £1.1 billion, up 15% on the year, with the volume of product shipped up 8% at almost 293,000 tonnes.
“British livestock farming has a fantastic story to tell and there is no substitute for bringing buyers here to taste our produce and learn more about our production standards throughout the supply chain to help ensure our exports continue to thrive in markets around the world, including China and the US.
“The volume of UK beef exports to the US, for example, increased by 71% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2025. Nearly 40% of pig meat exports were shipped to China during this period. It demonstrates the importance for us to maximise the value of the entire carcase in a wide portfolio of markets.
“Maintaining and nurturing positive links with importers and buyers is therefore imperative in supporting our levy payers to help maximise the opportunities in specific markets. The feedback we had from delegates from both China and the US has been extremely encouraging and a positive endorsement of our red meat sector’s credentials.”
AHDB to exhibit at SIAL Paris
AHDB will attend SIAL Paris in October 2026, with red meat export businesses joining the body on its pavilion at the show. The event will bring together UK exporters with existing customers and the opportunity to connect with potential new ones. The wider AHDB international trade development team will also support dairy levy payers exhibiting at the event.
Eckley added: “SIAL is this year’s go-to trade event for everyone involved in the international agri-food sector. AHDB’s investment in this activity provides us with a shop window to the world to showcase our world-class British red meat to buyers from multiple markets. It forms part of AHDB’s wider international trade development support for levy payers, which also includes work on market access.
“We will continue to work with industry and Government to help ensure our exports in markets around the world continue to thrive.”
