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The value of Welsh red meat exports has risen substantially with Welsh Beef enjoying a 14% rise and Welsh Lamb 6% year on year, according to Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC).

Some 9,000 tonnes of beef were exported in the first six months of the year, estimated to be 14% higher than January-June 2023 and the value of these shipments has also risen by 16 per cent. The value of sheep meat exports has increased by 6%, driven by stronger farmgate prices as domestic supply constraints have led to tighter export volumes of fresh and frozen sheep meat at 12,000t, a 10% decrease.

"In export terms, beef has seen strong momentum in this first six months of the year with double-digit rises in value and volume," said Glesni Phillips, HCC's intelligence, analysis and business insight executive.

Red meat exports

"HMRC data for the UK reports nearly 56,000t of fresh and frozen beef- worth £265.6 million- were exported in the first six months of 2024, an 11% increase year-on-year with an increased value of 9%."

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Ireland remained the primary destination for UK beef exports, with the six-monthly increase in export volume largely driven by notable growth in shipments to the Netherlands, Hong Kong, and Canada.

Between January and June, the UK exported 37,400t of fresh and frozen sheep meat, with a value of £293.7 million, 9% higher than the same period in 2023 despite a volume drop of eight per cent.

"This increase in value reflects strong farmgate prices across the UK, even as domestic production saw significant declines. With UK sheep meat supply typically increasing in the second half of the year, there may be more product available for export later in 2024," she said.

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Imports of both sheepmeat and beef increased during the period, with sheepmeat totalling 33,750t, an increase of 10,270t. This rise was driven by imports from the Southern Hemisphere, particularly from New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand accounted for nearly 64% of the sheep meat imported into the UK.

Imports

"The increase in sheepmeat imports can be attributed to the lower price of lamb from the Southern Hemisphere, tight domestic supply, and the impact of the new Free Trade Agreement," Ms Philips added.

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"UK imports of fresh and frozen beef also rose during this period, with volumes up nine per cent to 120,200t with a value of £681.6 million. Ireland, the main supplier, increased its share of UK beef imports to 77% and the volume of Irish beef imported grew by 16%, a trend supported by Bord Bia's report of plentiful cattle supply in Ireland," she said.