UK lamb trade down in August – AHDB
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has reported that exports of fresh and frozen lamb totalled 5,600 tonnes in August, which is a 3% (200 tonne) decline from July and a 10% (600 tonne) decline compared to the same time last year.
Fresh carcasses and half carcasses were the primary product traded with 79% of shipped volumes falling into this category.
The decline has been driven by reduced shipments to key EU nations say AHDB. Shipped volumes to France stood at 2,600 in August, down 6% from July with Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands also recording a month-on-month decline. However, shipments to Germany and Italy increased in August. For example, Germany received 1,300 tonnes of UK fresh/frozen lamb, up 13% from July.
In comparison, imports to the UK of fresh and frozen lamb totalled 3,000 tonnes in August, a 43% drop compared to July and down 6% year-on-year. AHDB said that imports do seasonally begin to drop at this time of year as UK production is at its highest in late summer and autumn. Also, import levels were significantly higher year-on-year in June and July and above the five-year average (largely due to New Zealand volumes); August’s level was closer to previous years.
The decline has been driven by reduced volumes from New Zealand and Australia. Imports from New Zealand halved in August compared to July, down 2,200 tonnes to total 1,900 tonnes. Year-on-year imports from New Zealand were down 16% in August. Imports from Australia dropped 29% from July to 360 tonnes and are down year-on-year by 39%.
However, shipments from the EU have increased in August, up 9% compared to July to 700 tonnes. AHDB say this is down to a 12% increase in volumes from Ireland which totalled 670 tonnes in August. Year-on-year shipments from the EU are up 440 tonnes, and again this is due to increased volumes coming from Ireland.
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