GB liveweight NSL SQQ prices dropped slightly in the week ending 20th July to average 288.1p/kg, as British exports of both fresh and frozen sheep meat rose 10% year-on-year.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), in terms of liveweight prices, the latest figure is 27p higher than the average price in July 2021, and 54p above the 5-year average.
GB deadweight prices for NSL SQQ stood at 639.1p/kg in the week ending 16th July, down 7p on the week. Estimated throughputs at abattoirs were 184,000 head, down 16% on the previous week, and 33% behind throughputs in the same week last year.
Exports on the rise
The latest figures by HMRC show that the UK exported 5,300 tonnes of fresh and frozen sheep meat in May, down 27% from April 2022 but up 10% year-on-year.
The EU received almost 5,000 tonnes of UK sheep meat in May, up 8% to that recorded in 2021. Exports to France made up almost half the total EU volume in May, a 5% increase year-on-year. The other key EU recipients of UK lamb exports were Germany, Belgium and Ireland.
However, volumes of imported sheep meat outweighed exports in May by 800 tonnes. Overall, imports of fresh and frozen sheep meat into the UK totalled 6,200 tonnes in May, similar to volumes seen in April and up 30% from last year.
AHDB reports that, for the year-to-date, the UK has a small trade surplus of 1,500 tonnes in sheep meat. Exports are standing at 30,000 tonnes, which marks a 23% annual increase. Imports stand at 28,500 tonnes, a 21% annual increase.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
