NZ: Concern over dive in sheep meat exports to the UK
NZ Meat exports to the UK have taken a dive, with the amount of sheep meat being sent to the UK in February the lowest for that month in more than 35 years.
New figures from the Meat Industry Association show overall exports dropped almost a fifth compared to last year.
Sheep- meat exports to both the UK and the EU were well below pre-pandemic historic levels for the time of year.
Volumes to the UK were down 43 percent to 2410 tonnes, with value decreasing 61 percent to $23 million – the lowest volume for more than 35 years and the lowest value since 1989.
Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the drop is due to deteriorating global economic conditions and demand from China not picking up as expected following the lifting of Covid lockdowns.
“The UK is probably the one that’s the most noticeable and probably the worst-hit. Consumers are struggling with very difficult economic conditions and food inflation hitting about 17 percent.
“There’s some real pain going on in that market, so you can understand why people might be cutting back on certain products to try and make ends meet.”
Radio NZ
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