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UK's July beef imports ease, exports stable
Friday, 23 September 2022
Imports
In July 2022, the UK imported 17,400 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef, 9.1% less than June, and 2,600 tonnes (13%) back on imports for July last year.
Within this decrease, Irish imports were down 3,600 tonnes, a 24% reduction on the same month last year. Import reductions were also seen from other key countries, including the Netherlands (-380 tonnes), Poland (-199 tonnes), Spain (-187 tonnes) and Uruguay (-103 tonnes). However, an additional 1,700 tonnes was imported from Germany vs July last year, an increase of 592%. Increases were also seen with historically smaller UK import partners such as Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Between January-July, the UK imported 134,500 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef, 10% up on the same period in 2021. Imports have increased substantially from Germany (+7,700 tonnes, a five-fold increase) compared to a year ago, putting it at 7% of total imports so far this year (historically Germany has supplied between 2-5% of UK beef imports). Imports from the Netherlands have been on a downward trend since late 2021 (although are still up 7% year-on-year). Polish volumes have also stayed elevated, as have shipments from Brazil (but from a smaller base).
Exports
Exports for July totalled 9,600 tonnes, 298 tonnes (3%) back from June. Most notably, lower shipments to Ireland and the Netherlands totalled a reduction of 442 tonnes. Despite these losses, shipments grew elsewhere, including to France (223 tonnes), Poland (96 tonnes) and Japan (94 tonnes). When compared with July last year, total UK beef exports were marginally up (0.2%).
For the year to date, overall exports totalled 74,200 tonnes, an increase of 19,600 tonnes (36%) on last year. Within this, exports rose to France (11,200 tonnes), the Netherlands (6,450 tonnes), Ireland (4,270 tonnes), Spain (1,370 tonnes) and Germany (1,285 tonnes). Shipments have declined to Hong Kong and the Philippines (down 3,900 tonnes and 2,800 tonnes, respectively).
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