European Beef Production Falls by 56,000 Tonnes in Q1 2025

June 27, 2025 – According to the latest update from AHDB, beef production across the European Union dropped by 3% in the first quarter of 2025, equating to a reduction of 56,000 tonnes compared to the same period in 2024. Total EU beef output for Q1 stood at 1.58 million tonnes.

Key Drivers Behind the Decline

• The most significant production drops were recorded in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, largely due to the impact of Bluetongue virus (BTV-3).
• Structural herd reductions and profitability challenges also contributed to the decline.
• In contrast, Poland and Ireland saw increased production, driven by strong domestic prices and export demand.

Trade and Market Implications

• Despite lower production, EU beef demand remains strong, prompting a rise in imports.
• EU-27 beef imports increased by 11% year-on-year in Q1, reaching approximately 77,000 tonnes.
• The UK remains the largest beef supplier to the EU, though South American countries—notably Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay—also saw significant growth in export volumes to the region.

Outlook for UK Exporters

With EU production tightening and demand holding firm, UK beef exporters may find new opportunities to expand market share on the continent.

Original data sourced from AHDB 

Stornoway Abattoir Faces Uncertain Future Amid Declining Use and Rising Costs

June 25, 2025  – Concerns are growing over the future of the UK’s only local authority-run abattoir, located in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, as usage continues to decline and operational costs rise. The facility, operated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, has struggled to meet its income targets, falling short of its £184,000 goal last year.

At a recent meeting of the local authority’s transport and infrastructure committee, Lochs councillor Angus Morrison urged crofters to make greater use of the abattoir, warning: “It is either use it or lose it.” He acknowledged the difficulty of raising slaughter fees—set to increase by 5%, bringing the cost of processing a sheep to around £44—but emphasized the need for sustainability.

The committee also heard that some crofters are opting to slaughter livestock at home, bypassing the facility altogether. Additionally, a decline in sheep numbers across the Western Isles is believed to be contributing to the reduced throughput.

Councillor Donald Crichton highlighted that bureaucratic hurdles are discouraging crofters from expanding their flocks, further impacting the viability of the abattoir. Last year, the council used £50,000 from Crown Estate funding to support the site, and delayed its seasonal opening to save an additional £14,000.

The future of the Stornoway abattoir remains uncertain, with local leaders calling for community support to preserve this vital rural service.

Based on reporting by BBC News. 

June 25, 2025  – Australia’s sheep meat industry is experiencing a remarkable boom, with record prices and soaring export volumes marking a strong recovery from last year’s oversupply crisis.

According to a recent report by Reuters, the country has capitalised on tightening global supplies and rising demand, particularly from the United States and China.

In the first five months of 2025, Australian sheep meat exports surged by 40% compared to the same period last year. This growth has been driven by a combination of favourable weather conditions, improved pasture availability, and strategic herd rebuilding efforts following a challenging 2023, when prices plummeted due to an oversupply of livestock.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) reports that lamb prices have reached unprecedented levels, with average export values climbing significantly. The U.S. has emerged as the top destination for Australian lamb, while China remains a key market for mutton.

Industry analysts suggest that the current momentum could continue into the second half of the year, provided global demand remains strong and Australia maintains its competitive edge in quality and supply chain efficiency.

This resurgence is a welcome boost for Australian farmers and exporters, many of whom faced financial strain during the previous downturn. It also underscores the resilience of the red meat sector and its ability to adapt to shifting market dynamics.

Original reporting by Reuters. Read the full article here.

USDA Explores Poultry Bird Flu Vaccination Plan Amid Export Concerns

Washington D.C., USA – 21 June 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is developing a potential plan to vaccinate poultry against bird flu for the first time, an initiative that includes a crucial assessment of how such a programme might impact vital export markets. This move comes as the agency advances its evaluation of a vaccine following proposals from associations representing the devastated egg and turkey industries.

Since 2022, nearly 175 million chickens, turkeys and other birds have been culled in the United States in attempts to contain outbreaks of avian influenza. This is the nation’s most severe animal-health emergency.

The extensive loss of egg-laying hens, in particular, led to record egg prices this year, prompting grocers to ration supplies, restaurants to increase prices, and food manufacturers to boost imports from countries including Turkey, Brazil, and South Korea. In response to the crisis, the USDA had previously pledged up to $100 million for research into vaccines and other therapies to combat the virus. The USDA has also spent more than $1 billion compensating farmers for culled flocks, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Industry members anticipate the USDA to finalise its written plan by July. The department confirmed this week that it is collaborating with federal, state, and industry officials, as well as engaging with international trading partners, to develop this comprehensive strategy.

A proposed plan submitted to the USDA by an industry group representing egg producers suggests an initial vaccination for baby chicks, followed by a booster shot and regular testing of flocks. This approach aims to reduce susceptibility to infection while increasing monitoring for outbreaks. Under this proposal, flocks that test positive would still be culled, a measure deemed important for satisfying importers.

Original reporting by Reuters: USDA develops potential plan to vaccinate poultry for bird flu

China Reopens Market to Over 100 U.S. Pork and Poultry Plants
Source: Reuters, 13 June 2025

In a significant step toward easing recent trade tensions, China has approved 106 U.S. meat facilities to resume exports of pork and poultry products, effective from 12 June, according to an official notice from Chinese Customs.

The announcement follows renewed dialogue between China and the United States, after both sides reached a framework agreement during trade talks in Geneva last month. The newly sanctioned list includes 23 pork plants and 83 poultry facilities, now eligible to ship approved products to the Chinese market.

Earlier this year, China imposed retaliatory tariffs of up to 15% on $21 billion worth of American food and agricultural products. This move came in response to levies introduced by the U.S. government on Chinese exports. As a result, many U.S. meat plants lost their eligibility to trade with China, despite gaining initial access under the 2020 “Phase 1” trade agreement.

While pork and poultry facilities are now seeing renewed approvals, U.S. beef plants remain on hold, with many listings still marked as “expired” in China’s customs database.

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Original reporting by Ella Cao, Ethan Wang, Shi Bu and Ryan Woo. Edited by Louise Heavens. Published by Reuters on 13 June 2025.

China Extends Anti-Dumping Probe on EU Pork Imports

Global Markets – 13 June 2025 – China has announced a six-month extension to its anti-dumping investigation into pork products imported from the European Union, delaying a final decision until 16 December. The probe, which commenced in mid-June 2024, is widely interpreted as a countermeasure following the EU’s implementation of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle exports.

The ongoing investigation significantly impacts EU pork exports worth over US$2 billion, primarily affecting major producers such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. China, the world’s largest consumer of pork, stated that the extension was necessary due to the “complexity” of the case. This delay comes amid reports that China and the EU are nearing an agreement concerning the contentious electric vehicle tariffs.

A considerable proportion of the EU’s pork shipments to China includes offal, such as pig ears, noses, and feet, which are highly valued in Chinese culinary traditions. In 2024, China imported pork valued at US$4.8 billion, with over half of these imports originating from the European Union, led by Spain. The extension of the probe has been met with cautious reactions from representatives within the EU’s pork industry.

Original source: UkrAgroConsult: China delays decision on EU pork imports

Scotbeef Shuts Inverurie Site Amidst UK Meat Industry Challenges

INVERURIE, ABERDEENSHIRE – 11 June 2025 – Scotbeef, a long-standing family-owned meat processing firm, has announced the closure of its abattoir in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, resulting in the loss of 90 jobs. This significant slaughterhouse shutdown has been driven by “sustained challenges within the UK meat and beef industry,” according to BBC News, marking a stark development for the UK meat processing sector.

The decision by Scotbeef reflects the ongoing pressures faced by the nation’s livestock sector and the wider food supply chain. Established in 1920, Scotbeef is a prominent supplier of beef and lamb to UK retailers, notably being the first to introduce the Aberdeen Angus brand to the retail market in 1993.

While the Inverurie facility ceases operations, Scotbeef maintains other processing sites in Annan and Sheffield. The closure in Aberdeenshire underscores the acute difficulties confronting UK agriculture and the meat production crisis in certain regions, prompting concerns about abattoir funding and the resilience of rural economies in June 2025. This development is a key piece of meat trade news impacting local employment and broader beef market dynamics.

Source: BBC News

North Warwickshire Council Rejects T&S Abattoir Expansion Amid Welfare and Local Concerns

Arley, UK – 11 June 2025 – North Warwickshire Borough Council has refused a retrospective planning application for the expansion of T&S Abattoir in Arley, a decision that follows previous animal welfare breaches and significant local opposition. The abattoir had already carried out extensive modifications to its premises before seeking official permission, prompting a strong reaction from both regulatory bodies and nearby residents.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) had previously revoked the abattoir’s license due to serious animal welfare incidents. This regulatory action underscored the concerns that have been building around the facility, which initially operated as a butcher’s shop before significantly scaling up its operations under new ownership.

The planning committee’s decision to reject the expansion was driven by a range of issues, including road safety, increased noise, and unpleasant odours affecting the local community. Residents of Arley, a small village, had voiced their protests vocally, calling for the abattoir’s closure and highlighting the unsuitability of such industrial traffic movements within their rural setting.

Under its previous management, the abattoir slaughtered fewer than 3,900 animals annually. However, following the takeover, this volume surged to over 10 times that amount, with the facility operating for extended hours and more days per week. This dramatic increase in activity was identified as a primary factor in the council’s refusal, deemed to cause “significant and demonstrable harm to residential amenity and highway safety.”

Original reporting by BBC News: North Warwickshire abattoir retrospective expansion refused

China Delays EU Pork Import Decision Amidst EV Tariff Talks

BEIJING, CHINA – 10 June 2025 – China has extended its high-profile investigation into imported pork from the European Union (EU) by six months, a decision made just days before its original conclusion date. This move by Beijing comes as negotiators from Brussels and Beijing continue to carve out a deal over the EU’s electric vehicle (EV) tariffs, as reported by Reuters.

The pork import probe, launched in June last year, is widely perceived as a retaliatory measure for EU tariffs imposed on Chinese EV exports. It has impacted over $2 billion (£1.57 billion) in pork exports, primarily from major EU producers such as Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. China, the world’s largest consumer of pork, has now decided to prolong the investigation period to 16 December 2025, citing the “complexity” of the case, according to a statement from the country’s commerce ministry.

This delay aligns with broader efforts by China and the EU to reach a resolution on the contentious EV tariffs. Beijing has already extended its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy and has offered to expedite rare earth magnet export licences for European firms, indicating a tactical approach to the ongoing trade disputes.

A significant portion of the EU’s pork shipments to China comprises offal – including pig ears, noses, and feet – which are highly valued in Chinese cuisine but have limited alternative destinations. In 2024, China imported $4.8 billion (£3.77 billion) worth of pork, including offal, with over half of this volume originating from the EU, and Spain leading the bloc in export volume.

The extension of the probe has been met with cautious welcome from industry representatives in the EU, collectively the world’s largest pork exporter. Anne Richard, director of French pork industry association INAPORC, stated, “We’d rather that they take the time for consultations before any decision.” Similarly, Giuseppe Aloisio, director general of Spain’s meat industry association ANICE, commented that while it means “six more months of waiting, which means the cloud hanging over us will remain, but we remain confident and calm.”

In a previous gesture signaling openness to a deal, China expanded access for Spanish cherries and some pork products in April. This prolonged investigation keeps pressure on the EU’s meat processing sector and highlights the intricate relationship between various trade disputes.

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Reporting by Ryan Woo and Ella Cao; additional reporting by Gus Trompiz in Paris, Emma Pinedo in Madrid and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Saad Sayeed and David Evans. Source: Reuters.

Argentine Meat Exports See Volumes Drop, But Prices Rise

Argentina’s meat export landscape is shifting, with new data revealing a significant drop in export volumes, even as the value per ton of meat is on the rise. This complex picture, with falling sales to key markets and a surprising uptick in imports, paints a challenging scene for the South American nation’s beef industry.

Recent figures show a 25% decrease in the volume of meat shipped in the first four months of this year compared to the same period in 2024. In terms of value, however, the drop was a much smaller 2%, cushioned by higher prices for Argentine beef on the international market.

A major factor in this downturn is a sharp reduction in demand from China. The Asian powerhouse, which has been the destination for nearly 60% of Argentina’s meat exports, has cut its purchases by 40% in the early part of 2025. This has had a significant knock-on effect on the overall export numbers.

In an interesting twist, Argentina has been increasing its own beef imports since October 2024. Brazil has emerged as the main supplier for this growing import market.

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Information for this article was sourced from data reported by ukragroconsult.com.