August 30, 2013

Boosted by higher product availability, UK sheep meat exports have seen a 14% increase in the first half of 2013 on-year.

Exports to Greater China were up 93%, which contributed to the increase, in addition to strengthened European exports by countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and France.

Altogether, the UK exported lamb and mutton worth £177 million (US$275 million) in the first half, which came to 47,268 tonnes.

English Beef and Lamb Executive Ltd (EBLEX) export manager Jean-Pierre Garnier said, "To export 47,000 tonnes of lamb in the first half of the year is a fantastic achievement. Traditionally, we tend to export more lamb in the autumn than in the first part of the year, particularly to southern Europe. Although the performance may dip a little in the second half of this year, due to low availability and the poor lambing conditions in the spring, it should still make for a sparkling year for exports.

"What is reassuring is the wider spread of markets all performing well, not only France, China, Germany and the Netherlands, but also Belgium, Italy, and Norway. We also look forward to expanding our Third Country markets at a number of shows and missions in the autumn."

France still remains the UK's largest export market for lamb and mutton.