UK beef and sheep meat exports decline
UK fresh and frozen beef, as well as sheep meat exports, dropped in August according to data from HMRC.
UK imports of fresh and frozen beef in the year to August were up over 8% when compared to 2017.
Beef
During the month of August, fresh and frozen beef exports were 10% lower (-870 tonnes) than during the same period in 2017.
However, despite August exports dropping slightly, strong export volumes earlier in the year have still resulted in exports in the year to August being up 9% (+5,800 tonnes).
UK imports of fresh and frozen beef in the year to August were up over 8% when compared to 2017, totalling 188,000 tonnes.
Import growth has predominantly come from Ireland, up 11,400 tonnes (+9%) in the year to date.
Sheep
Total reported exports stood at 7,200 tonnes during August, down by 6% (500 tonnes).
In the year-to August, UK reported exports stood at 48,800 tonnes, down 12% (6,700 tonnes) on-the-year.
Declining shipments to France are said to account for around 4,000 tonnes of the decrease.
Between January and August, the UK produced around 7,400 tonnes less sheep meat.
If the UK export data, which is reported in product weight, is converted to carcase weight equivalent then exports have declined by approximately 7,300 tonnes.
This was also observed in 2017.
During August, UK imports of sheep meat increased 13% year-on-year, to 5,100 tonnes.
This brings the imports in the year-to September to 58,200 tonnes, a similar amount to the same period last year.
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