United Kingdom-Meat exports.

UNITED KINGDOM-MEAT EXPORTS.

BEEF and sheepmeat exports from the UK to Europe soared last year, according to new figures.

More favourable exchange rates between sterling and the euro were largely responsible for the increase.

Beef shipments rose 21,000 tonnes, or 36%, to 81,000 tonnes.

Sheepmeat exports were up a quarter to 86,000 tonnes.

English levy board Eblex said the increase was also the result of improved marketing by Britain’s meat processors.

The biggest increases in beef sales were reported to markets in the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Italy. Shipments to Italy were prime beef, but the bulk of sales to the Netherlands and Ireland are of cow beef and meat from cattle aged more than 30 months.

Eblex said the sheepmeat exports were worth about £260million, up 43% on the year. They were significantly boosted by an increase in lamb sales to France.

It is by far Britain’s biggest sheep market, with exports in 2008 amounting to 60,000 tonnes, a 19% rise. British lamb now accounts for 46% of the imports into France. Eblex viewed that as positive as lamb consumption in France declined 8% last year.

Eblex chief executive Richard Lowe said: "The weakness of sterling against the euro is one of the major driving forces behind the rise in 2008 export volumes, as sterling lost 12% of its value during this period.

"The exchange rate has provided us with a positive platform for boosting UK exports - but work must continue to develop long-term export market opportunities for quality beef and lamb."