A team of top Dutch chefs and importers were given the ‘English lamb experience’ when they made a special journey to the UK last month.
The industry is looking to potential new markets when the UK leaves the European Union.
A positive look at a post-Brexit red meat trade will be based on a focus of ‘provenance and credibility’, according to the UK meat industry.
During the English lamb experience, seventeen visitors were given a tour of a sheep farm, a visit to a live auction and a specialist butcher, as well as enjoying a special dinner to demonstrate the versatility of British lamb and its gastronomic potential.
A trip to a lamb processing plant also provided an opportunity for the visiting chefs to evaluate innovative lamb cuts for their menus.
'Export development'
The event formed part of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s (AHDB) beef and lamb export development programme in the Netherlands for both retail and foodservice.
As part of the programme, AHDB took part in the Horeca exhibition in January and hosted a lamb reception at the starred Ciel Bleu restaurant in Amsterdam earlier in May, which was attended by more than 60 chefs.
Jean-Pierre Garner, Head of Exports for AHDB Beef & Lamb, said: “The Dutch market has been a great success for our beef and lamb exports and it is now the fourth largest market for lamb.
“In foodservice, we are clearly targeting the gastronomy sector with a premium offer. Dutch chefs truly appreciate lamb from Britain for its great taste, consistency and year-round availability.
“Seeing the natural conditions in which sheep are raised is an eye-opener for them and they are keen to understand the product, its origin, tradition and gastronomic potential to get the best out of it for their menus.”
