United Kingdom-Meat exports on the incease with low sterling.
UNITED KINGDOM-MEAT EXPORT FLORISH.
Favourable exchange rates and ongoing investment have driven a substantial increase in exports of British meat over the past year, according to UK levy bodies..
EBLEX says that demand for British beef is rising fast in the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Italy. The latest export figures show that a total of 81,000 tonnes of beef was exported from the UK in 2008, a 36% rise on 2007 figures.
Lamb exports are up too, with a total of 86,000 tonnes of sheep meat exported in 2008, up by a quarter from 69,000t the previous year. There was increased trade in UK sheep meat with all major EU marketplaces last year, particularly with France, where exports rose by 19% to 60,000 tonnes.
An increase in the volume of prime lamb cuts exported to the French market in 2008 meant that the value of sheep meat exports rose by a massive 43% to £260m.
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."
UK lamb now accounts for 46% of total imports into France - a positive development in light of the fact that household purchases of lamb in France fell by 8% last year.
Lowe added: "EBLEX has invested significantly in developing the French market over the past few years, both through initiatives such as the industry-funded Agneau Presto campaign, and longer-term supply chain projects involving the Quality Standard Mark and the Agneau St George brand."
The beef and lamb figures come following a BPEX Ltd announcement that the value of pork exports has hit an impressive £160m. Exports of fresh and frozen pork have soared by 20% over the last year, while bacon exports have grown from 12,000 tonnes to more than 33,000 tonnes and exports of offals are up 18%.
Meanwhile, figures released by Hybu Cig Cymru - Meat Promotion Wales indicate that Welsh red meat exports are now worth almost £108 million a year.
HCC Chairman Rees Roberts said: ""I’m delighted to say that our export success is not limited to our traditional European markets.
"Sales of Welsh Lamb were worth almost £200,000 in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong last year. HCC has just completed a new trade mission to the Middle East, where interest in Welsh Lamb is continuing to build, and we are optimistic that we will find new customers."
