Trade values rise despite volume pressures: Beef and lamb H1 trade update

Key Points

• UK beef imports fell by 3% year-on-year in volume to 149,400 tonnes, although the value of imports rose by 21% to £994 million, with Australia and New Zealand significantly increasing shipments.
• UK beef exports declined by 9% in volume to 65,700 tonnes, but export value grew by 16% to £366 million, as higher prices offset lower trade volumes; France increased demand while exports to Ireland fell.
• UK lamb imports rose by 8% in volume to 41,300 tonnes, with the value of imports climbing by 29% to £222 million. Australia drove much of the increase while New Zealand’s contribution was steady.
• UK lamb exports grew by 18% in volume to 47,500 tonnes, with export value up 15% to £347 million. France remained the leading market, and offal exports increased sharply.

Beef

Imports

Beef imports to the UK for the first half of 2025 totalled 149,000 tonnes, 3% lower year-on-year (from 153,500t). Despite the reduction in volume, the total import value increased to £994 million, up 21% on the year, reflecting the impact of firmer unit values and elevated global beef prices. The combination of tighter domestic availability and consumer demand holding relatively strongly in the first part of the year, albeit with some recent falls, has contributed to the higher overall spend.

By supplier, Ireland remained the dominant origin at 100,400t, although this represented a 4% fall year-on-year as the Irish cattle kill has also been tightening. Poland grew to 12,900t (+16% YoY) with their relative price point attracting importers, particularly in the foodservice sector. German imports reduced significantly to 590t (-86% YoY), a continuation of reduced trade flows following disease-related restrictions and lower German production.

Among non-EU origins, Australia increased to 4,000t (+92% YoY) and New Zealand to 3,600t (+75% YoY), albeit from relatively small bases in 2024. These increases are consistent with the implementation of expanded tariff-free quotas under trade agreements and reflect exporters’ growing interest in the UK market.

UK beef import volumes by country (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Looking at beef imports by product, fresh beef remained the largest category at 80,100 tonnes, broadly steady compared with last year. Imports of frozen beef totalled 40,300 tonnes, a small increase on 2024, while processed and corned beef fell to 20,400 tonnes, representing a decline of 13% year-on-year. Meanwhile, offal imports eased to 8,600 tonnes, 14% lower than the same period in 2024.

UK beef import volumes by cut (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Exports

UK beef exports in H1 2025 were 65,700 tonnes, 9% lower year-on-year, but the export value rose to £366 million (+16% YoY, from £317m). This divergence between volumes and value reflects the effect of sustained high GB beef prices, meaning that although fewer tonnes left the country, the overall return per tonne was higher.  

By destination, exports to France edged up to 16,000t (+5% YoY), showing resilience in the UK’s most valuable continental market where demand for boneless prime cuts remains firm. In contrast, shipments to Ireland fell to 16,700t (-19% YoY) as high UK cattle prices outstripped those in Ireland for much of this year, making trade less competitive. The Netherlands declined to 8,900t (-15% YoY), reflecting reduced demand for processing beef, while Germany almost halved to 1,357t (-48% YoY).

Outside Europe, exports presented a mixed picture. Ghana increased volumes by 17%, underlining the UK’s growing role in supplying offal and lower-value cuts where demand remains strong. In contrast, shipments to Hong Kong eased by 14%, consistent with softer Chinese demand.

UK beef export volumes by destination (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

In terms of product mix, fresh beef accounted for 32,900 tonnes, down 16% compared with last year. By contrast, frozen beef increased to 18,400 tonnes, up 10% year-on-year. Processed beef also saw modest growth, rising to 2,700 tonnes, while offal fell back to 11,700 tonnes, a decline of 12% year-on-year.

UK beef exports by cut (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Lamb

Imports

UK sheep meat imports in H1 2025 were 41,300 tonnes, 8% higher year-on-year, while import value climbed to £222 million, a sharp 29% increase. The rise in value outpaced volumes, reflecting the effect of higher lamb prices both in the UK and globally.

New Zealand remained the largest supplier at 24,600 tonnes, almost unchanged on the year (+0.6%). This stability suggests New Zealand exporters continue to balance UK demand against opportunities in Asia. Australia lifted volumes significantly to 11,100 tonnes (+45% YoY), highlighting the country’s growing presence in the UK market underpinned by recent trade deals, with exporters making the most of tariff-free access. In contrast, Ireland fell to 3,900 tonnes (-14% YoY), likely reflecting price competitiveness issues against southern hemisphere suppliers and lower Irish production YoY.

UK sheep meat imports by country (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

The import mix was heavily weighted towards frozen lamb, which reached 30,900 tonnes, up 18% year-on-year. In contrast, fresh lamb fell sharply to 5,300 tonnes, a decline of 31% compared with 2024. Imports of offal increased to 4,700 tonnes, 16% higher than the year before, while processed sheep meat slipped to 390 tonnes, down nearly a third year-on-year.

UK sheep meat imports by cut (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Exports

Sheep meat exports in H1 2025 totalled 47,500 tonnes, 18% higher year-on-year, with export value rising 15% to £347 million. The increase in volumes shows that UK lamb has remained competitive on export markets despite high domestic prices, supported by good availability of new season lamb and steady demand from EU partners.

France remained the key market at 26,400 tonnes (+25% YoY), reflecting the country’s continued strong demand for UK lamb, particularly around seasonal consumption peaks. Belgium also increased to 5,500 tonnes (+20% YoY). The Netherlands rose to 2,800 tonnes (+33% YoY). In contrast, Germany was slightly lower at 7,300 tonnes (-3% YoY).

UK sheep meat exports by country (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

By product type, fresh lamb exports dominate at 41,000 tonnes, a 17% uplift year-on-year. Frozen lamb eased to 2,300 tonnes, down 6% compared with last year. The standout growth was in offal, which surged to 4,000 tonnes, up 60% YoY, underlining robust demand from non-EU markets such as Ivory Coast where lower-value cuts form an important protein source.

UK sheep meat exports by cut (Jan-Jun)

Source: HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

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