Soaring global demand for beef has helped the value of British red meat exports reach a record high of £1.77 billion in 2024, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Full year figures from HMRC, the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority, show that red meat exports in 2024, including offal, surpassed the previous record set in 2022.
These figures were reportedly underpinned by the performance of beef shipments to Europe and further afield, AHDB outlined.
The value of beef, lamb and pig meat exports in 2024, as a whole, increased 3.3% on last year’s levels, it said, while demand for beef, including offal, was particularly evident, with the value of shipments to the EU up 10.9% in value to £577.1 million and 4.7% in volume to 114,000t.
According to AHDB, all primary EU markets reported growth last year, particularly France and the Netherlands, with shipments worth £202.7 million (up 10.6%) and £115.8 million (up 24.6%) respectively.
Markets where AHDB has been active further afield, such as Ghana and South Africa, also featured in the top five non-EU destinations for beef exports.
Red meat exports
AHDB interim international trade development director, Jonathan Eckley said: “We are delighted with these latest figures, showing that 2024 was a strong year for our red meat exports as a whole, with a new record being set for the value of our shipments.
“The performance of beef exports was particularly encouraging, with the importance of the European market, where we are currently rolling out our ‘Quality Meat from Britain’ brand, highlighted by the appetite for our world class product in both France and the Netherlands.
“Total beef offal exports were up 15.2% on the year, adding £70.3 million to the sector, which is incredibly important and an increase of £9.3 million over the value recorded in 2023.
“The success of beef offal exports also illustrates the vital role carcase balance plays in adding value to the UK sector. Finding markets that prize cuts with low demand on the domestic market plays a pivotal role in adding value to the sector.”
While sheep meat export volumes eased on the year, overall value increased by 6% to nearly £600 million.
France remains the UK’s largest market for UK sheep meat exports, with the value increasing by 12.8% on the year, to £330 million, AHDB reported.
Despite total pig meat exports also easing on the year, pig meat offal exports were positive to the UK’s two largest markets, China and the Philippines.
Pig meat offal shipments to China were up 19% in volume (78,600t) at a value of £101 million (up 1.8%) while pig meat offal exports to the Philippines increased by 35.5% and were worth £24.5 million last year (up 20.5%).
“Despite sheep meat exports facing some challenges, shipments to France underlined the importance of this market,” the AHDB representative stated.
“The EU continues to be an important market for our products, underlined by our recent launch of the ‘Quality Meat from Britain’ website, which will provide insight and support tools for our exporters to draw on to help maximise opportunities presented there.
“While it’s also important to recognise the challenges that have faced the international pig meat sector, the figures for pig meat offal to China and the Philippines are encouraging.
“Similarly to beef offal, it again illustrates the importance of carcase balance and the value add it can deliver for our levy payers,” Eckley added.
