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UK lamb exports continue to be under pressure
Thursday, 15 July 2021
By Rebecca Wright
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 revisions.
In May UK sheep meat exports declined 23% year-on-year, to stand at 4,850 tonnes. The vast majority (95%) were to the EU. Volumes of fresh carcase exports only recorded a modest 2% on the year with most of the reduction being in cuts of sheep meat.
There has been continuing trade friction between the UK and the EU which has no doubt put volumes under pressure. Equally domestic farmgate prices remained high during May which would have reduced the competitiveness of British lamb.
British exports total 24,600 tonnes in the year to May, down 6,500 tonnes year-on-year.
Meanwhile, UK imports during May were steady on the year, at 4,700 tonnes. However last year May imports were exceptionally low, in part due to the impact of Covid-19 on lamb production in New Zealand and also on global shipping. In the year to May, UK imports total 23,500 tonnes, down 19% (5,600 tonnes) on the year. Shipping costs are continuing to be at high levels which is likely reducing the attractiveness of the UK market to New Zealand exporters.
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