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UK beef trade drops back in New Year
Thursday, 18 March 2021
By Bronwyn Magee
As of January 2021 data, the way HMRC collects trade data has changed, which will be reflected in the trade statistics. Comparisons between this and historic data should be treated with caution, and may well be subject to future revision.
Exports
According to the latest data from HMRC, UK beef exports dropped back notably in January. UK exports of fresh and frozen beef fell 6,700 tonnes on the year, to total just 4,600 tonnes.
Exports to Ireland, typically the largest export destination for UK beef, fell by 2,200 tonnes, totalling 1,400 tonnes in the first month of the year. Shipments to Netherlands and France also declined, totalling 600 tonnes and 500 tonnes respectively. Exports to South Africa and Ghana grew notably, but being relatively small customers, this was not enough to outweigh losses to Europe.
The value of UK exports also recorded a decline, dropping back £24.8 million compared to the same period last year, totalling just £14.4 million for the month. This is due to lower export volumes seen, in combination with lower average unit price, at £3,100 for January (-10% YOY).
Imports
UK imports of beef also fell, although not to the same degree as exports. In January, imports of fresh and frozen beef totalled 12,300 tonnes, falling 36% (7,000 tonnes) year-on-year. This equated to a value of £46.7 million for the month, down 37% (£26.9 million) on the previous year.
Imports from Ireland, the largest supplier of beef to the UK, dropped back 32% year-on-year to total 10,200 tonnes in January. Shipments also fell from the Netherlands, down 1,000 tonnes (65%), and Poland, down 560 tonnes (46%) compared the same month last year.
Imports from Brazil, which are largely made up of processed beef and offal, fell by only 6%, totalling 2,400 tonnes in January.
Total imports of processed beef for January came to 3,300 tonnes, down 1,500 tonnes year-on-year. Meanwhile, imports of offal totalled 800 tonnes, dropping 1,000 tonnes on the year.
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