The Polish meat industry were given a thoroughly ‘Great British lamb experience’ when they made a special visit to the UK this month.
The tour was hosted by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) to showcase the unique characteristics of the British lamb supply chain from farm to plate, through primary and further processing.
It included cutting and cooking demonstrations which illustrated the use of lamb in gastronomy as well as the retail presentation of cuts.
The event formed part of AHDB Beef & Lamb’s ongoing work to develop new markets for lamb – with Poland viewed as a key market for exports due to a rise in incomes over the past ten years.
Indeed, the UK has this week been given the green light to ship British pork products to its second largest market outside of the EU, China.
US President Donald Trump has also said he wants US agriculture to have more access to British markets after the UK leaves the EU. He has previously criticised the EU's trading relationship with the US on food products.
AHDB’s Senior Export Manager Jonathan Eckley said the levy board has seen some good progress in developing the Polish lamb market over the last three years, and sales are building steadily.
“Over the last thirty years, Polish consumers have lost the taste and knowledge of lamb. Consumption is small right now but Polish people like the product with a growing number of supermarket chains stocking lamb and restaurants offering it on their menus.
“We are delighted with the level of interest from participants on this trip and have a number of commercial developments in the offing,” Mr Eckley said.
