UK's meat exports to EU should hold firm despite bloc's New Zealand trade deal

Sheep meat, dairy and beef exports from the UK to the EU should 'hold firm' despite a free trade agreement between the bloc and New Zealand coming into force. New Zealand will have improved access to the European market as part of the new NZ-EU free trade agreement (FTA). This has caused some concern among UK farmers that the FTA could result in a deluge of NZ sheep meat entering the EU market, posing a threat to the UK export trade. However, in new analysis published today (3 May) by AHDB, the deal should "unlikely pose a threat to UK exports". The EU is the UK’s largest market for sheep meat, with 79,700 tonnes of fresh and frozen product shipped in 2023 valued at £524m, the levy board notes. It is the second largest market for New Zealand sheep meat with 54,000 tonnes of product shipped to the market last year. The largest cut exported to the EU from the UK is fresh lamb carcases, which accounts for 84% of total UK sheep meat exports to the region. Volumes of fresh/chilled ...