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2022 Beef yearly trade review – exports up and imports down
Friday, 17 February 2023
Imports
Beef imports for the last month of 2022 reached 21,500 tonnes, marking a near 10% decrease in volume from December 2021. The majority of the decline was driven by lower shipments from Ireland, continuing the trend seen from the months previous.
For the full year of 2022, fresh and frozen beef imports totalled 233,300 tonnes, down 3.6% from the 2021 total.
As the year progressed, imports were above 2021 volumes in the first two quarters, but fell below year-ago levels in the second half of the year. This is partly explained by lower-than-average trade in the first part of 2021 (immediately following EU Exit).
Total beef imports are predominantly from the EU, with Ireland remaining a key market, although volumes have eased in 2022. Outside of the EU, imports from South America increased year-on-year from 2021. Looking at the product mix, boneless fresh and frozen beef remains a key import into the UK.
The value of total beef imports reached £1.24 billion for the total of 2022, an increase of £65.4m from the 2021 total, up 16%. Since January 2022, there has been a 39% increase in the value of beef imports from £78m to £108m. This is set against the backdrop of increasing inflationary pressures and increases in the price of beef. Indeed, the average unit price of fresh and frozen beef imports in 2022 was £5,300 per tonne, up from an average of £4,200 in 2021.
Exports
Beef exports for the month of December totalled 10,300 tonnes, down slightly (177 tonnes) from December 2021.
Total exports for 2022 stood at 123,700 tonnes, up 20% (20,800 tonnes) on the total volume from 2021. Increases in exports for 2022 mainly came from the first two quarters, with the last two quarters staying closer to volumes seen in 2021.
Boneless beef continued to form the majority of product exported in 2022, particularly to the EU, as non-EU shipments eased. While for the full year, more boneless beef was shipped to the EU than in 2021, month-on-month volumes had been on a downward trajectory since March. At the same time, the volume of bone-in beef and beef carcases shipped had shown increases year-on-year, but from lower bases.
The total value of beef exports reached just over £540m in total for 2022, up 48% year on year from 2021. The average price of beef shipments appreciated by 23% year-on-year to stand at £4,400 per tonne.
With the full 2022 trade picture now revealed, read our latest beef market outlook for a forward look at our beef trade expectations for the year ahead.
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