Global demand for lamb helps drive UK red meat exports

Full-year figures from HMRC show that in 2023, red meat exports, including offal, achieved a similar level in value to the record year of 2022, underpinned by the performance of exports of sheep meat, particularly to the EU. The total value of red meat shipments to the EU during the period was up 2% on the year, at £1.3 billion, while volumes fell by 12% on the year. Within this, sheep meat exports to France – the UK’s largest market - was the standout with shipments increasing by 23% in value to £292 million and 23% in volume on the year to 45,000 tonnes. Elsewhere shipments to Germany made a notable increase – up in value by 15% to £108 million and in volume by 12%. This supported the overall value of total sheep meat exports, increasing by 11.7% to £562 million. Sheep meat exports to non-EU markets were up 10% in volume but down 15% in value, with shipments to Ghana leading the way. Exports to Ghana, where we coordinated our first outward trade mission in 2012, experienced a ...