Annual English Lamb Exports Hold-up Well
21/03/05

English sheep meat exports held-up remarkably well over the past year despite weaker European demand and stiff competition from Ireland and New Zealand, according to provisional 2004 year-end figures from the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX).

At 73,000 tonnes, UK exports for the year were estimated to have been worth nearly £190 million to the industry, around half of which was generated from English-based exporters. While this was marginally down on final 2003 levels, it represents an increase of nearly 20% on the 61,000 tonnes exported in 2002.  And the experience of previous years indicates actual 2004 volumes are likely to be higher than the provisional figures suggest.

The continued robustness of the export trade, following its dramatic recovery from the FMD-related ban in 2001, provides English producers with a valuable range of marketing opportunities as well as helping to maintain slaughter prices.

Especially encouraging was the continued growth in exports to England's premier market, France. This was in spite of a 3% decrease in French household sheepmeat purchases resulting from the general malaise in the French economy, a rise in meat prices and an overall decline in meat consumption. It was also achieved in the face of particularly strong competition from both Irish and New Zealand exporters.

With flat demand and disappointing prices on the French market in the first part of 2005, the present year is shaping up to be challenging for English exporters. Under these circumstances, continued gains in markets like Germany - albeit at very much lower volumes - could become increasingly valuable.

The fact that higher value sheepmeat cuts, rather than carcases, continue to account for about 13% of total annual exports, compared to about 7% just five years ago, provides a further source of encouragement for the future.

UK Exports of sheep meat (tonnes product weight)

Source: MLC Economics Department, Intrastat and Customs & Excise