Red meat exports: Opportunities and challenges for the UK in Europe

Let’s explore how the UK red meat sector can navigate the post-Brexit trade agreement and make the most of its European market access.

The UK red meat sector has long enjoyed strong demand from European consumers, particularly for lamb and premium beef. With the UK's departure from the European Union, the landscape for exporting red meat to the continent has shifted significantly. The UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which came into force on 1 January 2021, defines this new trading relationship. While some opportunities remain, exporters face a more complex and demanding environment.

At first glance, the UK–EU TCA offers good news for meat exporters: it guarantees zero tariffs and zero quotas on goods, including red meat, if the products meet rules-of-origin requirements. That means meat must come from animals raised and slaughtered in the UK to qualify for tariff-free access to the EU.

However, this comes with a catch – non-tariff barriers (NTBs) such as customs declarations, veterinary checks, and sanitary/phytosanitary (SPS) controls now apply. These new requirements add both complexity and cost to exporting.

With increased paperwork, border friction and costs, exporters now face a mountain of documentation, such as export health certificates (EHCs) signed by official veterinarians and customs declarations and rules-of-origin checks.

These hurdles have caused border delays, which are particularly challenging for perishable goods like chilled meat.

Sanitary and phytosanitary checks – Since Brexit, UK red meat has been treated as ‘third country’ product, subject to physical inspections at designated border control posts (BCPs).

These checks have disrupted delivery schedules and added costs for inspection and storage.

In a major development for UK businesses, the UK and EU have agreed to establish a joint sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) zone that was revealed at the UK–EU summit (held in May 2025).

This framework will significantly reduce non-tariff barriers. While technical details are being finalised, the impact is clear, exporting red meat to the EU is about to get simpler, faster and more cost effective.

Under the new SPS zone, a significant amount of paperwork will be removed. Exporters will no longer need to provide certain types of documentation, such as export health certificates (EHCs) for many goods.

Routine border checks will also be scaled back, helping to speed up the movement of products across the Channel – all leading to lower costs when exporting meat to EU markets.

Ouafa Doxon, Head of Market Access at AHDB, says:

“The EU remains one of the UK’s most significant and valuable trading partners, and the proposed EU–UK SPS agreement presents a key opportunity to improve market access and tackle post-Brexit trade barriers.

New regulatory requirements such as export health certificates and increased administrative burdens have added considerable cost and complexity for UK meat exporters.

"These changes have disrupted supply chains, reduced competitiveness and constrained growth.

“Exploring solutions like an SPS agreement, while respecting the UK’s regulatory autonomy, could help streamline processes and enable smoother trade flows. Such progress would be essential for ensuring long-term stability across the UK meat industry.

“Enhancing market access would benefit exporters, reinforce food supply chain resilience and strengthen the UK’s position as a trusted trading partner with the EU.”

Perhaps most importantly, the deal should also clear the way for the return of previously banned exports – specifically certain types of fresh British meat, which had faced restrictions since the UK’s departure from the EU single market.

This marks a welcome breakthrough, especially for smaller exporters who have struggled with the cost and complexity of post-Brexit trade.

While some technicalities are being finalised, the introduction of a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) framework promises to simplify procedures, reduce red tape and restore smoother access to EU markets.

The overall message is clear: exporting to the EU just became a lot more straightforward.

UK beef continues to command premium positioning in EU markets. There is appetite in niche sectors for grass-fed, organic or higher-welfare meat, where the UK can maintain a competitive edge.

Countries like France and Italy have a long-standing taste for high-value premium beef, while there is strong demand for UK lamb for the growing halal markets in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

In Northern Europe, opportunities exist for premium lamb in niche markets.

EU consumers are increasingly motivated by climate impact and animal welfare concerns. The UK's relatively low-carbon grazing systems offer a potential branding opportunity, particularly in Northern Europe.

The EU has long been the major recipient of UK red meat and will continue to represent a high-value market that most exporters cannot afford to ignore.

Red meat exports to the EU are likely to remain strong for the foreseeable future. The UK still has a strong reputation for quality, traceability and animal welfare attributes highly valued in European markets.

With the right support, smarter logistics and a clear focus on premium markets, UK red meat producers can continue to thrive in Europe, even in a post-Brexit world.

AHDB continues to support exporters with:

• Trade development activities for red meat in the EU
• Market access technical advice and training