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UK beef export volumes increase but prices under pressure in February
Thursday, 23 April 2020
In February, UK exports of fresh and frozen beef recorded further growth in volumes following on from those seen in January. UK beef imports showed a decline on the year in the same month.
Exports
UK exports of fresh and frozen beef recorded volume growth in February, totalling 10,100 tonnes, up 6% from the previous year. This brings exports for the year to date to 13% higher than the same period in 2019. More muted growth in February follows on from larger increases in January.
Shipments to Ireland, the largest export destination, rose 5% on the year. Meanwhile, exports to other major destinations fell; to the Netherlands, France and Italy by 12%, 4% and 37% respectively. Exports to Hong Kong and Poland however, increased during February to 784 tonnes (+7%) and 404 tonnes (314%) respectively.
Meanwhile, the value of exports fell. The total export value for fresh and frozen beef down 6% to £31.7 million, due to a 12% decline in the average unit export price.
Imports
In contrast to exports, the volume of imports fell during February, down 12% to 19,000 tonnes. This reflects the trend seen during much of last year. In value terms, imports were down 16% to £72.7 million, due to a 5% reduction in unit price.
Shipments from Ireland, the largest supplier of beef to the UK, fell by 12% to 15,000 tonnes. Imports increased 33% from Poland (+300 tonnes). Imports from the Netherlands were down 9% to 1,300 tonnes and from Germany were down 33% to 290 tonnes.
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