Value of red meat exports in first half of 2025 up almost 10%

Stronger prices have driven a near 10% increase in the value of red meat exports in the first half of 2025. Latest figures from HMRC show that in the first six months of this year, UK red meat exports, including offal, were worth £966m.

Jonathan Eckley, AHDB International Trade Development Director, said a wide portfolio of markets in both EU and non-EU destinations was key in helping drive export growth.

While tight cattle supplies were reflected in the total volume of beef exports – easing by nearly 9% on the year – higher prices pushed the value of beef exports, including offal, to the EU up by 19% to £323m.

Jonathan said:

“Despite tight supply, it was encouraging to see a 2% increase in fresh and frozen beef shipments to France which is a key market for UK exporters and the only market where AHDB has a full-time team working closely with the beef and lamb supply chain to promote our world class product.

“The value of fresh and frozen shipments to non-EU markets like Canada, Ghana and Japan also highlights diversity of markets which is pivotal in terms of carcase balance and maximising opportunities for exports in as many markets as possible.”

The latest figures also highlighted a 5% increase in the volume of pig meat exports, driven by more product being shipped to China – the UK’s biggest export market for pig meat.

The importance of carcase balance was again illustrated in the pig meat sector with offal shipments up nearly 7% on the year to 75,000 tonnes. The popularity of quality British sausages also shone with their export value seeing a 16.5% increase on the year, worth just over £9m.

Jonathan added:

“The volume of pig meat shipments to China again underlined the value of our in-market representative Holly Chen working tirelessy on the ground to support our levy payers’ ambitions in that particular market.”

Total sheep meat exports, including offal, for the period increased 18% in volume at 47,462 tonnes and 15% in value (£347m), with shipments to non-EU markets up 29% in volume (3,142 tonnes) and 43% in value (£12.5m).

It capped a busy six months of activity from the AHDB International Trade Development team, including taking part in global trade shows and hosting its biggest ever red meat inward mission to the UK in June.

The mission saw a 28-strong delegation from across the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East taking part in a four-day visit, including farm and processor tours in the West Country. It culminated with a ‘meet the buyer’ event at Butcher’s Hall in London.

In October, the team will be joined by leading UK exporters, including 14 businesses that have taken space on its biggest pavilion of the year at Anuga, this year’s largest global trade show, to promote Quality Meat from Britain.

Jonathan added:

“We are delighted with the figures in the first half of 2025, demonstrating a strong performance for our red meat exports as a whole. It highlights the global appetite for our world class red meat products and how important connecting with people is in the industry.

“Our colleagues on the ground in-market play a pivotal role in maintaining the reputation of our produce and helping our exporters make new business connections, as well as enhancing existing relationships.

“Similarly, it’s equally important for buyers to learn more about UK red meat production at source which is where events like our inward mission earlier this year help pay real dividends for levy payers.

“We look forward to continuing working on behalf of our levy payers, delivering a comprehensive programme of activity to help produce tangible outcomes for their respective businesses.

“Having a significant presence at Anuga in October typifies this commitment to helping ensure that Quality Meat from Britain thrives globally.”