Australian Red Meat Exports Boom in UK since Free Trade Agreement
One year after the implementation of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Australian red meat exports to the UK have experienced significant growth, dispelling initial concerns about an influx of lower-cost products.
According to data presented at a recent trade event by Aussie Beef & Lamb, beef exports to the UK have surged by 415%, while sheepmeat exports have risen by 85%.
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The FTA, which came into effect on 31 May 2023, has facilitated a robust trading relationship between the two nations, particularly benefiting Australia’s premium red meat sector.
In total, Australia exported 4,144 tonnes of beef to the UK in the first year of the agreement, with chilled grain-fed beef seeing a remarkable increase of approximately 167% since the FTA’s inception.
“Our beef and lamb is really impressing the food service industry here in the UK,” said Stephen Edwards, business manager for Meat & Livestock Australia, highlighting the demand for high-end products such as Wagyu and premium grain-fed beef.
Edwards notes that the UK requires around 30% of its red meat imports annually, and while Australia is making inroads, it still faces competition from major suppliers like Ireland, Argentina and France.
Despite the growth, the UK remains a relatively small market for Australian red meat, accounting for only about 2% of Australia’s total global exports.
The majority of Australian red meat still heads to larger markets such as the US, Japan and the Middle East, with exports to North America reaching approximately 269,000 tonnes annually.
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