The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has found that UK red meat and dairy exports hit £2 billion in the first half of 2026.
It said this would help to underpin domestic prices for farmers against a “backdrop of a challenging international trading climate”.
Figures from HMRC reportedly revealed that the total value of UK red meat exports in the first half of 2026 reached £1.1 billion, up 15% on the year, with the volume of product shipped up 8% at almost 293,000 tonnes.
AHDB said that maintaining a wide portfolio of markets was key to helping ensure British red meat and dairy produce continue to thrive.
Values of total beef and sheep meat exports for the period increased by 23% to £450 million and 15% to £401 million respectively on the year, largely driven by demand from European markets. Shipments of pig meat from the UK for the period also increased 5% in value on the year to £267 million.
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB international trade development director, commented: “The value of red meat exports in the first half of this year is very encouraging, despite challenging global trading conditions. It demonstrates why it is vital to maintain a wide portfolio of markets to maximise carcase utilisation.
“It is a testament to the excellent production standards of our livestock farmers and the work of our export businesses in delivering products that remain highly sought after the world over. With increases in the value and volume of red meat products being shipped during this period, there is clearly continued demand for world-class British produce.”
AHDB to exhibit at SIAL Paris
AHDB said it would continue to deliver a programme of international trade development activity on behalf of levy payers to support the red meat and dairy sectors, including two recent inward missions for the beef and lamb pork sectors. October will also see AHDB joined by red meat export businesses at SIAL Paris to showcase British red meat to a global audience.
Eckley added: “Exports play a key role in underpinning domestic prices. This is why investing levy in international trade development continues to play a pivotal role in AHDB supporting the red meat and dairy sectors, identifying opportunities for our world-class produce in new markets and maximising opportunities in existing ones. Maintaining a wide portfolio of markets is a critical part of this process.
“This investment in international trade development enables us to deliver an extensive programme of activity to support our levy payers, including work on market access, inward and outward trade missions and flying the flag for world-class British red meat and dairy at major trade events around the world like SIAL. We will continue to work collaboratively with industry and other stakeholders to drive further growth on behalf of levy payers in the red meat and dairy sectors.”
