Beef and lamb at a glance

March 2023

This webpage provides a snapshot of key information relating to the beef and lamb market.

A summary of the beef and lamb market in 2022

• GB deadweight lamb prices in 2022 were little changed on 2021, with the annual average SQQ (Standard Quality Quotation) down 1.7% on the year at 567.3p/kg

• The annual average GB deadweight prime cattle price in 2022 was up 8.5% on the previous year at 431.8p/kg

• GB deadweight cull cow prices in 2022 were up 23.5% year-on-year at 333.6p/kg

• Average annual deadweight R3 steer prices in Northern Ireland and Ireland were up on 2021 by 9.5% and 16%, respectively. French lamb prices were up 7.4% on 2021

• GB retail sales on primary and processed beef and lamb in 2022 were £2.95bn and £0.59bn, respectively

• UK slaughterings of prime cattle, cows and clean sheep were all up in 2022 on the previous year

• Sheep meat and beef and veal production in 2022 stood at 276,400 t and 906,400 t, respectively, both increases on 2021

• UK self-sufficiency for beef and veal increased year-on-year to 81.8% in 2022. In contrast, sheep meat self-sufficiency fell to 103.9%

• UK exports of beef and veal and sheep meat stood at 123,713 t and 75,307 t in 2022, respectively

• UK exports of beef and veal and sheep meat are dominated by the EU, accounting for 85% of beef and veal and 93% of sheep meat shipments

 Beef and lamb market in 2022: the infographics

You can download a handy A4 poster. Click below for your Beef and lamb at a glance pdf.

Visit the beef and lamb market analysis pages for the latest information and insights to guide you through market movements.

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This dataset was produced by our Data and Analysis team. To find out more about the team, please visit the Data and Analysis team page.

If you need any further help, please email Dawn, Lydia or Sue at econ@ahdb.org.uk 

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