Beef and lamb at a glance

April 2024

This webpage provides a snapshot of key information relating to the beef and lamb market.

A summary of the beef and lamb market in 2023

• GB deadweight lamb prices in 2023 increased year-on-year, with the annual average SQQ (Standard Quality Quotation) up 1.9% at 578.1p/kg

• The annual average GB deadweight prime cattle price in 2023 was up 10.2% on the previous year at 476p/kg

• GB deadweight cull cow prices in 2023 were up 3.2% year-on-year at 344.2p/kg

• Average annual deadweight R3 steer prices in Northern Ireland and Ireland were up on 2022 by 9.8% and 6.2%, respectively. French lamb prices were up 5.5% on 2022

• GB retail sales on primary and processed beef and lamb in 2023 were £3.17bn and £0.62bn, respectively

• UK slaughterings of prime cattle and cows were both down compared to 2022, while clean sheep slaughterings were up on the previous year

• Sheep meat and beef and veal production in 2023 stood at 286,000 t and 900,600 t, respectively, both decreases on 2022

• UK self-sufficiency for beef and veal increased year-on-year to 81.8% in 2022. In contrast, sheep meat self-sufficiency fell to 103.9%

• UK exports of beef and veal and sheep meat stood at 103,646 t and 84,514 t in 2023, respectively

• UK exports of beef and veal and sheep meat in 2023 are dominated by the EU, accounting for 88% of beef and veal and 94% of sheep meat shipments

 Beef and lamb market in 2023: the infographics

You can download a handy A4 poster. Click below for your Beef and lamb at a glance pdf.

Visit the beef and lamb market analysis pages for the latest information and insights to guide you through market movements.

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This dataset was produced by our Data and Analysis team. To find out more about the team, please visit the Data and Analysis team page.

If you need any further help, please email Dawn, Lydia or Sue at econ@ahdb.org.uk 

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