Great British Beef Week, a successful industry campaign that promotes British beef to consumers, returns for its 15th anniversary on St George’s Day, 23 April.

This nationwide campaign, running from 23-30 April, highlights the hard work and dedication of the farmers who produce British beef, while also shining a light on sustainable farming practices and the exceptional taste of British beef.

The campaign was first founded by the Ladies in Beef group, created by former NFU president Minette Batters and Devon beef producer Jilly Greed. Over the years, it has garnered support from various UK levy bodies including AHDB, Hybu Cig Cymru, the Livestock and Meat Commission, and Quality Meat Scotland. Additionally, organizations such as the NFU, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, and Red Tractor have lent their support to the campaign.

As part of this year’s campaign, AHDB is putting the faces behind British beef farming at the heart of the initiative. Baroness Minette Batters emphasized the importance of British beef, stating, “Our farmers produce naturally delicious beef – British beef is not just a staple of our cuisine, it’s a symbol of our hard work and enjoyed by many at home and abroad.”

The campaign aims to celebrate the contributions of British farmers and encourage consumers to appreciate and support locally produced beef. With its focus on sustainability and quality, Great British Beef Week continues to be a significant event in the UK’s agricultural calendar.

Pig Market Update: Prices and Throughput

Prices

Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are on an upward trajectory in response to relatively tight supplies for slaughter. Last week saw an increase of 4c/kg in Irish pig prices, with producers reporting an average of €2.20 available from processors.

Others reported getting prices 6-7c/kg higher, signalling a good demand for pigs. The average reported price paid for grade E pig prices in Ireland for the week ending April 6th, 2025, was €2.10/kg excluding VAT.

The current Irish price is 3.4% higher than the corresponding week last year when the grade E pig price was €2.09/kg. The EU average price for the week ending March 22nd, 2025, for grade E carcass was €1.84/kg excluding VAT. This represents a slight increase of 2.9% in last week’s EU average price and is 13% behind prices for the same month last year, when the EU average pig price was €1.90/kg.

Throughput

While throughput has improved in the last quarter, demand continues to run ahead of supplies. Total throughput year-to-date is 904,390, which is marginally behind the corresponding period in 2024. The throughput for the week ending April 6th was 64,217, of which 1,970 were sows.

AIMS Calls on DHSC to Review FSA’s Meat Inspection System

On the day the Chancellor meets with leading regulators to discuss reducing business burdens and promoting growth, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has published a report titled “A Strategic Review of Cost-Saving Opportunities in the FSA’s Meat Inspection System.” The report identifies up to £22 million per annum in potential savings through a detailed analysis of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) current cost structure.

Dr. Jason Aldiss, Executive Director of AIMS, highlighted longstanding issues with the FSA’s third-party contractor: “We have known for a long time that the third-party contractor used by the FSA has failed to deliver the staff and levels of service required by the contract, resulting in at least £1.7 million in additional payments without any sign of service improvements.”

The report reveals wasteful duplication of managerial structures between the FSA and its contractor, attributed to a lack of effective ministerial oversight for many years. This inefficiency has burdened the meat and poultry processing sector with excessive charges and costly administrative burdens, placing the UK at a disadvantage compared to other livestock processing countries.

Dr. Aldiss pointed out that the UK’s meat inspection costs are significantly higher than those in comparable European countries such as France and Ireland, with businesses paying up to four times more than their EU counterparts.

At a time when the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), which sponsors this arm’s length quango, is looking to recover wasted taxpayer money, and the UK Government is focused on growing the economy through exports and controlling inflation, the FSA’s meat inspection system and associated costs have risen unchecked. AIMS urges the Secretary of State to review their report and meet with them at the earliest opportunity.

This call for action underscores the need for a strategic review to ensure the meat inspection system is both efficient and cost-effective, benefiting the industry and the economy as a whole.

Dairy Herd Dominates Cattle Slaughter in Great Britain

Key Points

• Over half of all cattle and calves slaughtered in Great Britain in 2024 were born to the dairy herd.
• The proportion of prime cattle supply made up of dairy beef continues to grow, reaching 37% in 2024.
• BCMS data shows that 2.3 million head of cattle and calves were slaughtered in Great Britain in 2024, including animals of all ages, types, and sexes. Of this total, 52% were born to the dairy herd, while the remainder were suckler-born.

Prime Cattle Supply

In 2024, 1.5 million cattle aged 12-30 months were slaughtered in Great Britain. Suckler-bred cattle made up the largest proportion of prime cattle supply, accounting for 56%. However, the proportion of suckler-bred cattle in slaughter totals has steadily declined over the last ten years, in line with the long-term decline in the population of the Great Britain cattle herd.

Dairy beef continued to grow its share of prime cattle supply, accounting for 37% of cattle slaughtered aged 12-30 months in 2024. This trend counteracts declines in both suckler beef and dairy bull calves.

Key Breeds

Aberdeen Angus X cattle made up the greatest proportion of total Great Britain slaughter for the second consecutive year in 2024. Of these, 57% were dairy beef, with the remainder suckler-born.

Limousin X cattle were the second highest proportion of Great Britain slaughter, with 80% of these cattle suckler-bred. In contrast, 84% of British Blue X cattle slaughtered in 2024 were dairy beef animals.

Original story: AHDB

UK Beef Production to Decline by 5% in 2025 Amid Rising Domestic Consumption

Key Insights

• Production Decline: UK beef production will decrease by 5% in 2025, dropping to 885,000 tonnes.
• Consumption Growth: Domestic beef consumption will grow by 1%.
• Supply Dynamics: Prime cattle availability will decline, with a 6% drop in slaughter to 1.99 million head.
• Consumer Trends: Demand for everyday beef cuts like mince and fresh, primary cuts over processed foods will increase.
• Trade Impact: UK beef imports will rise by 12%, while exports will fall by 7%.

Detailed Analysis

Production and Supply Dynamics

In 2025, UK beef production will decrease by 5%, reaching 885,000 tonnes. This decline follows sustained reductions in cattle numbers due to factors such as underlying business profitability, declining direct payments, and strong beef prices.

Despite a strong year in 2024, with a 4% increase in production to 934,000 tonnes, 2025 will see a shift in supply dynamics. Prime cattle availability will decline, with a 6% drop in slaughter to 1.99 million head. This trend will continue into 2026, influenced by previous years’ calf registrations.

Market and Consumer Trends

Hannah Clarke, AHDB Lead Analyst (Red Meat), stated, “The beef sector is entering 2025 in a period of significant supply constraint, which will support cattle prices throughout the year. However, consumer sensitivity to prices and the cuts they choose will play a pivotal role in determining overall carcase values.”

Consumer demand, although influenced by economic uncertainty, will grow by 1% year-on-year. Everyday beef cuts like mince, catering to busy families and price-sensitive consumers, will perform strongly in the retail sector. Additionally, concerns about ultra-processed foods will drive demand for fresh, primary beef cuts, with 90% of consumers emphasizing the importance of diet for overall health.

Trade and Pricing

On the trade front, UK beef imports will rise by 12% to compensate for reduced domestic production, with significant increases from Ireland, the UK’s largest supplier. Conversely, exports, which saw strong growth in 2024, will fall by 7% in 2025 due to supply constraints.

Farmgate cattle prices will be supported by reduced supply both domestically and globally, driving competition for beef cattle. However, the price sensitivity of UK consumers and the mix of cuts purchased will be crucial in determining overall carcase values. Retailers should highlight beef’s value proposition, focusing on health benefits, versatility, and convenience to drive demand.