UK Buyers Turn to Southern Hemisphere Beef
NZ Beef Floods UK Market as Imports Triple
New Zealand beef exports to Great Britain have more than tripled in both volume and value during the first eleven months of 2025, adding fresh competitive pressure to the UK beef import market and intensifying challenges for Irish and EU suppliers.
According to reporting by Irish Farmers Journal, British customs data shows a sharp shift in import dynamics, with New Zealand significantly expanding its presence under post-Brexit trading arrangements. The surge has coincided with a notable erosion of Ireland’s dominant market position.
Ireland’s share of the UK beef import market fell from 76% in 2024 to 68% in 2025, a substantial drop for a supplier that has historically been the backbone of British beef imports. While Ireland remains the largest single source of imported beef, the data highlights a clear diversification by UK buyers.
The expansion of New Zealand shipments reflects a combination of greater tariff access, competitive pricing and tight domestic UK cattle supplies, which have encouraged retailers and processors to widen their sourcing base. Australian exports to Britain have also increased, while Brazilian volumes continue to edge higher despite ongoing political and regulatory scrutiny.
For Irish processors, the trend is particularly concerning as it coincides with tightening cattle supplies at home and repeated disruption to China market access. With fewer alternative outlets for carcase balance, increased competition in the UK risks putting pressure on returns, especially for manufacturing beef and secondary cuts.
Source: Irish Farmers Journal | 8 February 2026
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