UK exports activity: Monthly headlines from AHDB

The EU–Mercosur trade agreement became a key flashpoint, symbolising broader concerns over unfair competition, production standards and market access.

France played a decisive role at European level, strongly supporting the European Parliament’s vote to refer the Mercosur agreement to the Court of Justice of the EU. This move effectively suspended the ratification process and was widely welcomed by French farming unions, particularly in the beef and poultry sectors.

The government framed the decision as a defence of food sovereignty and farming standards, responding directly to sustained farmer mobilisation across the country.

Throughout January, large-scale demonstrations involving tractors and road blockages took place in several regions and in Paris, disrupting logistics and highlighting the sector’s economic fragility.

Farming organisations demanded stronger import controls, clearer safeguards in trade agreements and faster government action. Public opinion remained largely sympathetic to farmers, increasing political pressure on the executive.

Animal health concerns also contributed to the tense climate, notably the continued management of lumpy skin disease in cattle, which reinforced demands for stricter sanitary protections at EU borders. In response, the French government announced financial support measures for farmers and promised new legislative initiatives on agricultural competitiveness and production costs.

Overall, January confirmed agriculture as a politically sensitive and strategic sector in France. For exporters, this context points to a more cautious French stance on trade liberalisation, stronger scrutiny of imports, and continued influence of domestic agricultural politics on France’s positions within the EU.

Increased veterinary checks at French borders: regulatory framework remains unchanged

In recent weeks, exporters have observed a higher level of scrutiny on consignments of products of animal origin entering the EU via northern French border points, particularly Calais.

Following several consignments being held in December, controls have continued into January, reflecting a sustained level of enforcement rather than a one-off episode.

These checks are taking place within the existing post-Brexit sanitary and phytosanitary framework, under which all goods of animal origin entering the EU from Great Britain are subject to documentary, identity and, where required, physical inspections by French veterinary authorities.

Importantly, there have been no new SPS regulations or veterinary rules introduced in January, nor any changes to certification requirements for beef and lamb exports to France.

While the regulatory framework itself remains unchanged, its application has been visibly more rigorous at the start of the year.

January has not seen the same volume of publicly reported cases as December, but controls remain active and exporters should continue to expect close attention to compliance at the border.

For exporters, the key takeaway is that this situation represents a continuation of the current regulatory environment rather than the introduction of new requirements. As ever, consistency in product presentation, documentation and overall compliance remains essential, particularly during periods of heightened enforcement.

Retail landscape in France

In January 2026, the French retail sector remains concentrated around a small number of major food distribution groups, with continued strategic repositioning and consolidation shaping the market.

At the top of the ranking, E.Leclerc is the clear market leader, holding around 23.5 % of grocery market share, supported by strong private-label positioning and nationwide coverage.

Carrefour follows closely with about 21.6 %, maintaining its position through a broad store network of hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience formats and expanded footprint following acquisitions.

Intermarché stands third with around 17.5 % market share, benefitting from growth and recent operational partnerships that extend its reach across France.

Coopérative U also strengthened its share (around 12 %), reflecting enduring consumer loyalty to cooperative-linked formats; together these four players dominate French food retail.

The retail structure has been reshaped by significant acquisitions and rebrandings, which are particularly relevant for supply-chain dynamics.

Notably, Intermarché has expanded in recent years by acquiring stores from the Casino group and other partners, and a strategic initiative is underway to transition hundreds of Auchan supermarkets under the Intermarché banner in 2026 – a move that will increase buying power, improve logistics efficiency and narrow the gap with larger competitors like E.Leclerc.

This rebranding reflects broader industry consolidation and the drive for scale in procurement, retail operations and digital readiness.

Carrefour has also proactively bolstered its position through targeted acquisitions of Cora and Match banners in previous years, strengthening its presence in key regions and improving its bargaining position with suppliers.

These retail consolidation trends are expected to continue influencing supplier negotiations, category listings and promotional strategies as grocers seek differentiation in a competitive environment.

Discount and niche formats remain important. While traditional hard-discount chains such as Lidl and Aldi have a stable presence, value-oriented retail formats are reaching saturation, and the biggest growth is often seen in convenience, online and hybrid fulfilment models (e.g., click-and-collect).

Retailers are increasingly leveraging digital tools to optimise supply chains and respond to shifting consumer behaviour, including demand for fresh and local products, sustainability credentials and private-label alternatives.

EU–Mercosur trade deal faces major legal setback

On 21 January, the European Parliament narrowly voted (334–324) to refer the EU–Mercosur trade agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to assess its compatibility with EU treaties.

As a result, the ratification process is now suspended, potentially for up to 18 months, while the Court delivers its opinion.

This decision has been widely celebrated by European farming and livestock organisations, who see it as a strong political signal against increased imports of South American agricultural and meat products. Over 6,000 farmers demonstrated in Strasbourg, underlining the intensity of opposition, particularly in the beef, poultry and cereals sectors.

Key implication: while the legal review is ongoing, the EU–Mercosur agreement cannot be ratified, creating prolonged uncertainty around future market access for Mercosur exporters.

A critical issue now is whether the European Commission could attempt provisional application of the trade deal during the legal process. Farm unions and several political groups strongly oppose this, calling it “democratically unacceptable”, and have pledged close monitoring of Brussels’ next steps.

The vote is also seen as a political win for France, whose government has been vocal in opposing the agreement. French ministers and MEPs argue that there is no justification for fast-tracking the deal after 25 years of negotiations, especially given strong resistance across several EU member states.

Bottom line: The EU–Mercosur agreement is now legally and politically stalled, reinforcing a cautious and defensive EU stance on agricultural imports – a development that UK meat exporters should watch closely as it reshapes competitive dynamics in the European market.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD)

It remains a significant animal health issue in France, especially in cattle. Originally detected in Savoie and Haute-Savoie in mid-2025, the disease has prompted regulatory action and trade concerns.

Key developments:

Historic outbreak and spread: The first outbreak in France was confirmed on 29 June 2025 in Savoie. By early January 2026, more than 100 outbreaks (foyers) had been confirmed across several French departments, including Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Ain, Rhône, Jura, Pyrénées-Orientales, Ariège and others, affecting dozens of farms.

• Disease characteristics: LSD/DNC is a viral infection affecting cattle and related species, transmitted mainly by biting insects (e.g., flies and mosquitoes). It is not transmissible to humans and cannot be transmitted through consumption of meat or dairy. However, infected animals typically show nodular skin lesions, fever and reduced productivity.
• Regulatory response: French authorities established protection and surveillance zones, implemented movement restrictions for cattle, mandated mass vaccination campaigns and conducted culling of infected herds to control the disease. As a result, some movement bans inside France were lifted later in 2025, and zones have shifted from restricted to vaccination status in areas like Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
• Export impacts: The outbreak led to trade restrictions from several countries, including limitations on French beef, dairy and genetic exports to some markets (including the UK) due to animal health status concerns. These restrictions are tied to official disease status and zoning, not human health risk.
• Vaccination and control efforts: France and neighbouring countries (e.g., Switzerland near Geneva) have pursued vaccination of susceptible cattle to prevent further spread and reduce the duration of trade restrictions. This strategy aims to help regain disease-free status over time.
• Market confidence: Although no new cases have been detected in some areas since early 2026, health authorities continue surveillance and caution on movements of susceptible livestock. Exporters should track changes in zoning and official disease-free status as these directly influence bilateral and EU export conditions.

France launches 2026 livestock protection scheme against wolf and bear predation

In early 2026, the French government opened a new call for projects to support farmers and livestock holders in protecting their herds against predation by wolves and bears. This national support scheme is part of broader efforts under the French and EU agricultural framework to help pastoral and mixed farms manage the costs and risks associated with large predator pressure.

Eligible applicants include owners of sheep and goat flocks meeting minimum size criteria. Under the programme, authorities will co-finance up to 80 % of approved protection measures – and in some cases 100 % – to help offset the added costs of preventing attacks by wolves and bears.

Supported measures include enhanced herd supervision and guarding, investment in protective infrastructure such as electrified fencing, acquisition and management of livestock guardian dogs (including training, behaviour testing and sterilisation), vulnerability analyses of farms, and technical assistance aimed at reducing predation risk.

The official project call is open until July 31, with applications submitted via the French agriculture ministry’s online SAFRAN portal. This scheme aligns with broader national strategies to sustain pastoral farming in areas affected by natural predators.

Beef: Significant price surges means beef is currently the ‘luxury item’ at the meat counter.

• Price increase: Compared to the previous year (January 2025), prices for beef and veal have risen by approximately 13.7%
• Cause: An extremely tight supply of slaughter cattle pushed producer prices for young bulls above the record mark of €7.00 per kilo (carcase weight) in the first week of January
• In-store: Minced beef and premium cuts like roulades or sirloin have become noticeably more expensive

Pork: Price drop and oversupply - in contrast to beef, pork is currently experiencing a phase of very low prices.

• Market situation: Prices have fallen to their lowest level since February 2022
• Background: An oversupply of pigs for slaughter and export issues (partly due to the spread of African swine fever in Spain) are putting pressure on the market
• Supermarket effect: Discounters are using these low purchasing prices for aggressive promotional campaigns, making pork often the cheapest offer in weekly flyers right now

Poultry: Stable with a ‘promotion focus’ – poultry remains the most popular meat among Germans, which keeps prices stable

• Price trend: Although there was inflation year-over-year in 2025, prices are currently stabilising.

• Lure offers: In January 2026, chicken is being heavily marketed as an ‘anchor product’ – discounts of 30% to 50% compared to the regular price are common for promotional items

Aldi pushes down prices for pork and beef at start of year

Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd have declared the second round of prices at the start of the year and are permanently lowering several meat products.

The discounter wants to assert its role as a “true price leader” towards Lidl. For example, 800 g of minced pig meat of the own brand now costs  €3,79 instead of €3.99, 500 g of pig-gyros €3,99 instead of €4,29 and organic pig schnitzel falls to €4.89.

Aldi vs Lidl: Who is Germany's ‘true price leader’?

The price reductions are partly against the market trend, because beef had recently become significantly more expensive.

At the producer level, prices were around 25.7 percent higher than in the previous year in November 2025, while pork declined by 8.5 percent. Between 2019 and 2024, the beef prices in the retail climbed by about 2.50 € to well over 12 euros per kilo.

Aldi Süd is promoting the campaign offensively in the prospectus under the motto "Germany's true price leader" and thus directly targets competitor Lidl, who stages himself as a price leader.

Price signals that the market can hardly ignore

Already at the turn of the year, Aldi had lowered the prices for rice and other basic items, among other things, and thus put the competition under pressure.

According to experience, other discounters and supermarkets quickly follow such steps in order not to be perceived as more expensive.

With the renewed meat offensive, Aldi underlines its claim as a price leader in the discount – and at the same time intensifies the pressure on Lidl and other retailers.

Shoppers turning to private label meat

According to a recent evaluation, prices for minced beef have risen by almost 83% between 2020 and November 2025.

Many customers react to this with a change to private label, with 59% now reaching for meat and sausage own-brand products.

Halal goes mainstream

A major food trend in early 2026 is the growing availability of certified Halal premium meat in wholesale, further supporting the overall demand for lamb products.

Gen Z and millennials

Contrary to the trend of reducing meat consumption, younger, affluent demographics are showing a ‘quality over quantity’ mentality.

While they eat meat less frequently, they are willing to spend significantly more on high-quality cuts.  

Pork

Pig population increased, but fewer farms

The latest livestock survey at the beginning of November 2025 identified a slightly higher number of pigs. At 21.5 million, it was up 0.9% compared to the previous year.

The number of pig farms has fallen to 15,200, down 3.2%, while the number of pig farmers declined by 40.8% from 2015 to 2025.

The pig population declined significantly less during this 10-year period, down by 22.3%, meaning the average number of pigs kept per farm thus increased by almost a third to 1,414 animals.

Regional trends vary across the individual German states.While pig herds have increased in most eastern German regions, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia have reported decreased numbers.

The main focus of pig farming remains in the northwest. Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia together account for more than 60% of all pigs in Germany.

Developments diverge across different animal categories. For example, the number of fattening pigs decreased by 6.4% within a year.

At the same time, the number of piglets and young pigs increased significantly.

The number of sows, which is a more relevant indicator for further assessment, rose slightly by 1.4%, suggesting a stable to moderately increasing overall population trend.

Mandatory husbandry labelling

Since the beginning of the year, the state-mandated animal husbandry labeling for fresh pork has been in full effect.

This has increased transparency but also led to rising prices for private labels, as the higher production costs for animal welfare are being passed on to consumers.

Beef

Beef shortage

Beef slaughtering numbers in Germany fell by nearly 8% in 2025. Entering 2026, the supply of young bulls remains tight, leading to rising producer prices.

Lamb

Producer prices (live weight)

Class I: (up to 45 kg): Young, prime slaughter lambs cost currently between €3.70 and €3.90 per kg. Class II: Fleshy young lambs are trading at approximately €3.40 to €3.70 per kg.

Wholesale prices (Carcass Weight). The average price for lamb carcasses (approx. 20 kg) in the second week of January stands at roughly €9.21 to €9.58 per kg.

Market outlook: Experts describe the situation as "balanced," though local premium lambs are priced significantly higher than cheaper overseas imports (e.g., from New Zealand/Australia).

Lamb prices

Beef prices

AHDB activities

Berlin BBQ Brothers 

The Berlin BBQ Brothers team has been training exclusively with English quality lamb for two years and also use it in their catering services.

Currently, the team is preparing for the German BBQ Championships of the German BBQ Association in Fulda. The team trained in early January in frosty temperatures and grilled a whole lamb at the asado cross along with various cuts of meat.

The Berlin BBQ Brothers are an established team in the German barbecue scene, having regularly achieved success at championships since 2017.

In September, the head of the grilling team, Jan Zaschenbrecher, travelled to England for AHDB’s lamb inward mission to learn about the origin, rearing and slaughter of lamb.

The 23% increase in meat prices is notable because it is the largest since 1996, even though meat prices had already increased by 19.2% in 2022. Subsequently, price increases slowed to 5.3% in 2023 and 0.4% in 2024.

Meat exports from The Netherlands increase

In 2025, the Netherlands saw a significant increase in the value of its meat exports, reaching a total of €12.1 billion.

This increase was primarily driven by higher global food prices and a general rise in demand for meat products. However, the pork sector lagged behind with a notable decline in export and import values.

The export value of pork fell by 7.5%, equivalent to around €2.3 billion less than the previous year. This decline is attributed to lower meat prices and reduced sales volumes for both meat and live animals.

Consequently, the import value of pork fell by 6.5%, reaching €561 million, also due to lower prices and volumes.

 The pig herd in the Netherlands decreased for the first time in 50 years, dropping below 10 million pigs – a 5% decline as of 1 April 2025. This is due to enlargement and culling schemes for herds, which have led to a decrease in the number of pig farms and an increase in the size of the remaining farms.

In addition to pork, beef exports also declined significantly, with around 165,000 head of cattle being exported.

Beef prices remained high and stable due to strong global demand and a shrinking livestock herd. Chicken meat was mainly exported to Germany and Thailand.

Exports of live animals decreased by over 4% to €2.1 billion, though this remained higher than the import value of €1.8 billion.

Germany and Belgium remained the main markets, with exports to Germany falling by 23% and exports to Belgium rising by 17%. In the first 49 weeks of 2025, 5.4 million piglets and 400,000 slaughter pigs were exported.

Despite the decline in pork exports, total meat exports continued to grow, partly due to a significant increase in meat imports of over 21%.

Germany remains the key trading partner, followed by the UK and France. The three main meats exported are beef and veal, pork and chicken, each accounting for between 20 and 27.5%.

Beef set to become more expensive in 2026

The price of beef products such as steak, minced beef and burgers is expected to rise significantly again, despite prices having already increased sharply last year.

Industry organisations such as the Central Organisation for the Meat Sector (COV) are predicting a 'significant' price increase in 2026 and have indicated that stabilisation is currently unrealistic. The exact price increase is difficult to predict and depends on factors such as supply, feed prices and international trade.

Market data shows that beef prices have risen by over 38% in one year and by almost 125% in five years. This substantial price increase is primarily due to a smaller beef supply, while demand remains relatively high.

Researcher Matthijs Bremer emphasises that in recent years, animal feed and meat products have become more expensive than plant-based alternatives, such as butter and eggs.

He expects high meat prices to persist for some time and for the price gap between meat and plant-based products to remain wide for the foreseeable future.

A significant cause of the reduced supply is the decline in the number of farmers, partly due to stricter nitrogen regulations and buy-out schemes.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the number of cattle farms with veal calves has decreased by more than 6% this year and by almost 29% over the past 10 years.

This reduction in supply could lead to higher prices. At the same time, consumers are increasingly opting for cheaper pork or chicken, smaller portions or meat-free days.

Industry organisations also anticipate that the prices of alternatives, such as pork and chicken, may rise as consumers buy less beef and seek greater variety.

Lastly, importing is not considered a viable option for reducing prices. The Central Organisation of the Meat Industry (COV) warns that imported meat may be of lower quality and have a larger carbon footprint, although the evidence for this is inconclusive.

Dutch cultured meat pioneer Meatable bankrupt

The bankruptcy of cultured meat pioneer Meatable has been confirmed, primarily due to financial difficulties. Despite significant earlier investments, the company was unable to raise sufficient funds to continue operating.

One of the largest financiers, investor Agronomics, announced that the shareholders and the board of directors had decided to cease all activities and dissolve the company.

A lack of new investments, coupled with disappointment among existing shareholders regarding the financial situation, ultimately led to the shutdown.

According to Jim Mellon, Agronomics' CEO, this bankruptcy does not reflect the talent or dedication of the team, but rather poor timing and a lack of capital.

Founded in 2018, Meatable aimed to produce meat from animal cells without killing animals. The company's ambition was to make large quantities of cultivated meat available in stores by 2025. In the years leading up to bankruptcy, Meatable secured substantial funding, including €40 million in 2021 and €30 million in 2023.

Investors included DSM, Rick Klausner (former director of the Gates Foundation) and the Dutch government, which provided a subsidy of €7.6 million.

The company claimed that their technology was successful, stating that they could produce pork 30 times faster than a real pig, for example.

In 2023, they also appointed a new American CEO, Jeff Tripician, to lead their entry into the US market. Although plans were made to launch cultivated meat products in Singapore and the USA, these were repeatedly postponed.

Currently, Singapore is the only country allowing cultivated meat for human consumption, while Europe is still awaiting approval.

High production costs remain a significant challenge, causing supermarkets and consumers to hesitate.

In an attempt to reduce costs, Meatable developed hybrid products such as sausages and dumplings that were half cultivated meat and half plant-based materials.

However, this strategy did not produce the desired results and ultimately led to bankruptcy, bringing an end to this promising pioneer in the cultivated meat industry.

New round of subsidies for animal welfare in livestock farming

The Barth-Misset Fund is offering financial support for the ninth consecutive time to projects that aim to improve animal welfare in Dutch livestock farming.

From January 5 interested parties can submit an initial proposal, with a maximum grant of €100,000. The deadline for the first submission round is 9 February. The fund supports creative and innovative projects that promote animal welfare in intensive livestock farming, including improvements in handling, living conditions and transportation methods.

The subsidy process consists of two phases. In the first, applicants must submit a brief online description of their project, including the requested amount, via the fund's website. If they are successful in advancing to the second round, they will be asked to complete and submit a more detailed questionnaire.

Since 2018, the Barth-Misset Fund has financed around 30 projects. These include research into calf-by-the-cow systems, the development of the KipUP welfare app, and replacing CO₂ stunning of pigs with electrical stunning.

The fund has also supported innovations that improve the climate in poultry houses and reduce emissions, thus demonstrating its commitment to promoting animal welfare and sustainable improvements in the livestock sector. 

New cases of IBR infections

In the last two months of 2025, at least 15 dairy farms in the Netherlands were infected with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), a viral disease affecting cattle.

This represents a significant increase, given that only 12 new cases had been diagnosed on dairy farms in the previous 10 months.

Furthermore, one beef farm was also affected by IBR during the first 10 months of 2025. The affected farms are spread across the country, indicating that the outbreak is not limited to a specific region.
According to GD Animal Health, the agency monitoring the situation, the number of new IBR outbreaks increased sharply at the end of 2025.

Many farmers reported observing clinical symptoms in their cows for weeks before diagnosis, including nasal and eye discharge, snoring, fever, reduced appetite, decreased milk production, infertility and sometimes death.

However, these symptoms were not always taken seriously immediately, allowing the infection to spread further.

GD emphasised the importance of being alert to these signs and advises farmers to consult a veterinarian immediately if in doubt, to obtain an accurate diagnosis.

Infected farms are expected to require vaccination for many years to come to prevent recurrence. The earlier the initial vaccination is administered, the better the protection.

Other farmers who want to reduce the risk are also recommended to seriously consider vaccination.

The infections were detected in various ways. On two farms, the virus was identified through nasal swabs taken by the veterinarian for diagnostic testing.

On nine farms, the virus was found in bulk milk samples, indicating that the cows on these farms were shedding the virus. On two farms, IBR antibodies were detected in culled animals (those no longer kept due to health issues), and on one farm, examination of a deceased cow was necessary to confirm the presence of the virus.

It was finally established that the infection on one farm started with a cow imported from elsewhere. This animal carried the virus, which then spread to the rest of the herd.

The significant and worrying increase in IBR cases highlights the importance of early detection, good hygiene practices and vaccination to prevent further spread.

Prices

Market promotions

Sonae/Continente

The only highlight on Continente’s promotional flyer is the picanha, in this case from South America, sold as a whole and refrigerated at €19.99/kg.

On the interior section, Continente displays by far the most premium and diversified offer, in particular on the self-service sector.

The focus of the self service is on:

• Sliced Angus beef cuts: Feather at €4.49/200g, Rib-eye bone-in and T-bone steak at €26.99/kg, bavette steak and shoulder Loin at €4.99/200g, rump steak (posta) at €6.49/250g. 
• A frozen range under Blue Smoke brand (never saw it before): Cowboy Steak and T-bone steak @ €19.99 / Kg, Tomahawk and Blue steak @ €17.99 / Kg
• Maminha Angus at €16.99/kg

The Posh range (rolled breast, boneless shoulder and carré) which was very successful continues at the same prices but is not in the leaflet.

The main focus of its promotional leaflet pointed to the butchery corner, selling striploin bone-in Angus at €18.99/kg and shoulder steak Angus at €15.99/kg.

Jerónimo Martins/Pingo Doce

The range on the Pingo Doce is much narrower but the main focus was similar to Continente – refrigerated Picanha at €20.99/kg and striploin at €16.99/kg, both from South América.

Very interesting and seen for the first time is a move to compete, but a much lower and less sophisticated level, with Continente by offering basic Portuguese lamb main cuts, sliced and wrapped. Chops are €17.99/kg and sliced leg anne shoulder is at €13.99/kg.

This takes extra time at the butchery corner but adds a bit of convenience for consumers.

Lidl

Lidl is limited to the self-service counter and has a much narrower range. Again, the focus is on the picanha from South America, already sliced at €25.99/kg.

Intermarché

The focus was only on pork and basic beef products.

AHDB activities

At this time, retailers are focusing on inventories and preparations plans for the year ahead. Also, consumers have little money in their pockets so there are fewer customers in stores. However, the promoted products on Continente, Pingo Doce and Lidl were at the higher end of the market.

We are preparing meetings to take place very soon to develop a plan for promotional activities for the first half of the year.

New appointment to exports team

We have underlined our commitment to supporting red meat exports with the appointment of a new team member to our International Trade Development team.

Henry Glover, pictured, has joined the team as Senior Trade Development Manager and will focus on providing support for red meat exports in Asia and Africa, having spent more than six years working in the red meat processing sector.

We continue to deliver market access through the UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP), working closely with Defra and key government partners to secure and maintain global opportunities for UK meat and livestock exporters. Collaboration with Defra, APHA, FSA, DBT, agricultural attachés, and wider stakeholders remains focused on agreed priority workstreams, including:

• Completing import risk assessment questionnaires
• Coordinating inward inspection visits
• Supporting outward missions and technical exchanges with importing authorities
• Drafting Export Health Certificates (EHCs) and supporting documentation

EUDR registration form

To support preparations for the rollout of the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) geolocation system for Great Britain (covering England, Wales and potentially Scotland), we have been working closely with industry partners.

We are now asking meat processors to nominate two authorised points of contact for each site, or relevant administrative unit, who will be registered to request and receive geolocation data.

Please fill out this form to submit your nomination. 

Market Access Watch

Market Access Watch is a new blog series examining how global trade shifts are reshaping access to key meat markets, complementing the wider work across the trade and policy community.

The first edition launched as China’s provisional anti‑dumping duties on EU pork were disrupting supply chains and forcing exporters to rethink pricing, logistics and market‑diversification strategies.

China has since issued its final ruling, confirming five‑year anti‑dumping duties—though at lower rates than the provisional measures—providing greater clarity for exporters and reshaping the competitive landscape.

Read the full analysis in our latest blog How China’s final anti‑dumping ruling is reshaping EU export strategy: The next phase

EU beef audit

Defra will be hosting European Commission auditors from 26 January to 6 February for an audit of the UK’s beef official controls system, with the visit focusing on arrangements in England and Wales. The audit will assess Defra and the wider official controls framework that underpins beef exports to the EU.

Vietnam

Review of UK pork product listings

We have initiated a review of the UK’s pork product listing used for exports to Vietnam, following feedback that the current structure is too high‑level and lacks the specificity found in listings used by some of Vietnam’s trading partners

To address these challenges, we have drafted a revised and expanded product structure, drawing on examples from Vietnam’s key trading partners and adding additional categories to ensure products can be clearly and accurately identified.

Input from levy payers is being gathered to ensure the proposed listing reflects the full range of products produced or stored by UK establishments.

Feedback will be consolidated and provided to Defra ahead of discussions with Vietnamese authorities on reopening the commodities listing dossier.

Site applications

Late last year, the market access team facilitated the progression to the next tranche of site approvals for export to Vietnam.

This work has now resulted in further UK sites being listed for export. AHDB continues to work closely with industry and Defra to support the plant‑listing process. Strengthening access for UK pig meat, including by‑products, remains a key strategic priority in the Vietnamese market.

Hong Kong – FBO applications

Food Business Operator (FBO) applications submitted to Hong Kong authorities are currently undergoing assessment.

We are maintaining close communication with Defra and the regulatory teams in Hong Kong and will provide updates once feedback or formal outcomes are issued.