August 2, 2007

 

UK ruminant group says exports key to stabilise British beef production

 

 

The English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) said exports and its significant growth in the market will provide the stability of UK beef.

 

Since export restrictions were lifted last year, over 57,000 tonnes of British fresh and frozen beef have been exported with Holland as the principal market, taking a third of total exports, followed by Ireland at 20 percent; France, 15 percent and Germany at 8 percent.

 

Italy, Belgium and Spain have also been important destinations.

 

Eblex policy adviser Mark Topliffe said high quality beef from grassfed steers and heifers classified at R3-4 is good export product as over 30-month cows are highly in demand.

 

Offals are also providing export opportunities with the current buoyant requirements for beef tripe, he said.

 

Topliffe said that while domestic consumption remains on track to increase beyond the 1.1 million tonnes/year mark, 2007 production is forecast to rise by around 5 percent in total or around 300,000 tonnes.

 

The re-establishment of British beef in the European markets as well as with new ones Topliffe said exports are seen to reach some 65,000 tonnes this year helped by a greater availability of cow beef and competitive prices. The growth will represent an increase of 40 percent as compared to last year.

 

Prime cattle slaughterings, as predicted at the onset of 2007, for the first six months were 2.6 percent down on the previous year, according to interim Meat and Livestock Commission figures.

 

However, carcase weights were an average 5 kilograms/head higher, leaving production from prime cattle just 1 percent below 2006 levels.

 

It said export growth levels were likely to ensure firm fundamentals for the UK beef market well into 2008.