May 24, 2022

UK beef experts up in March

Data from Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HRMC) showed the UK exported 12,600 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef in March 2022, 14% higher compared to the month prior and a 46% increase year-on-year, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reported.

Based on the data, the UK exported 30,800 tonnes beef in Q1 2022, 53% up year-on-year. From this total, 9,000 tones were shipped to Ireland, 7,000 tonnes to France, and 5,600 exported to the Netherlands. There were increased beef exports to the US, China, and Japan.

The AHDB said more beef is projected to be exported compared last year when Brexit disruptions affected volumes, especially in Q1 2021.

The UK imported 21,700 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef imports into the country in March this year, a 45% drop compared to February 2022 but a 23% increase year-on-year.

March levels put AQ1 imports at 77,400 tonnes, up 73% from the same time in 2021. Again, some of this growth was due to the low levels in 2021 (and the high amount in February), but it will also be because of increased demand from the foodservice industry.

Almost all of the yearly rise in AQ1 was attributed to increased beef from Ireland, which totaled 58,000 tonnes, up 60% (+21,700 tonnes) year over year. More beef was also imported from the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Poland.

-      Reuters