Search our website enhanced by Google.
Sheep meat trade falls in December
Thursday, 20 February 2020
UK reported sheep meat exports fell in December, to 7,600 tonnes, according to data from HMRC. This is a reduction of 17% (1,600 tonnes) year on year, and was predominantly driven by a 31% (1,200 tonnes) drop in exports to France. This data should be treated with some caution however, as it is not corroborated by the French customs data. Export growth slowed in November, and with December’s data, fourth-quarter volumes were 5% lower than during the same period in 2018.
In 2019 as a whole, reported exports of sheep meat were 13% higher year on year at 93,600 tonnes. This has been driven by strong domestic production and healthy import demand from the continent.
Reported UK imports of sheep meat also fell in December, by 21% year on year. Volumes from New Zealand continued to be drawn to Asian markets, a pattern that has been seen all year. There is a risk that this could be temporarily interrupted as coronavirus disrupts the Chinese market. However, the underlying strength of Chinese demand is expected to remain for a long time to come.
Annual figures for 2019 show that the UK imported 62,500 tonnes of fresh/frozen sheep meat in 2019, 19% less than in 2018.
Sign up for regular updates
You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.
While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.
All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.