April 14, 2006

Return of UK beef will help fill EU gap

With Argentina under a self-imposed beef export ban and Brazil still under a partial-ban because of foot-and-mouth disease, the EU may have to import less beef this year, even though its beef deficit is expected to narrow from 350,000 tonnes to 300,000 tonnes this year.

The return of UK beef to the EU market is a huge factor that can compensate for production declines in some member states.

Both British and Irish beef production are expected to rise.

The entry of UK beef into EU markets would also impact Irish calf exporters as UK beef exports eat into markets dominated by the later, especially in Holland.

Meanwhile, Germany has expressed its intent to import beef from Uruguay in anticipation of increased demand during the World Cup in June.