AIMS Launches Next Gen Programme for Future Meat Industry Leaders

AIMS has launched a new Next Gen programme with Nicholas Associates Group to help develop the next generation of business leaders across the meat and poultry sector.

The initiative, launched on Tuesday 26 May, will run over an 18 month period and include six tailored events. Each event will be chaired by an industry leader and will cover key topics including international trade, recruitment, staff retention and wider industry challenges.

The programme is open to staff working for AIMS members with at least five years’ experience in the meat and poultry sector. This includes people working across farms, abattoirs, processors and catering butchers.

Applicants must be under 40 years of age, with each intake limited to no more than 12 participants.

Robert Sykes from Nicholas Associates Group said attracting and developing early careers talent is an increasing challenge across many sectors. He said the AIMS Next Gen programme will give future leaders the chance to hear from current industry leaders and support the development of tomorrow’s leadership talent.

Jason Feeney CBE, Non-Executive Director at AIMS, said the programme offers young professionals a valuable opportunity to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, while also developing their own skills.

AIMS said the Next Gen programme will begin in the autumn, with applications now being accepted via the AIMS website.

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Source: AIMS | 26 May 2026

Northern Ireland Beef Sector Faces “Perfect Storm” as Factory Prices Fall

Northern Ireland’s beef sector is facing mounting pressure as factory prices continue to fall, cattle bookings are delayed and imports increase.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has warned that confidence across the sector is deteriorating, with some farmers fearing prices could move towards the £5/kg mark. UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said cattle are backing up on farms, with some producers facing delays of up to four weeks to get animals booked into factories.

The union said the pressure is being driven by a combination of weaker consumer demand, falling factory quotes and a sharp increase in imported beef. Imports from New Zealand reportedly increased by almost 300% in 2025, while imports from Australia rose by more than 170%. Brazilian beef imports were said to have increased by 137%, with further growth from Uruguay.

The UFU said Northern Ireland is particularly exposed because around 80% of local agricultural output is exported, mainly into the wider UK market. It warned that if imported beef continues to gain market share, local farmgate prices could come under further pressure.

The union also raised concerns that financially stretched consumers may be switching away from beef towards cheaper proteins. It called for retailers to give stronger support to Northern Ireland beef through meaningful in-store promotions and clearer commitments to local produce.

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Source: Agriland / Ulster Farmers’ Union | 11 May 2026

Rain Lifts Australian Cattle Markets as Sheep Trade Remains Mixed

Australian cattle markets moved higher this week after scattered rain across key production regions improved sentiment and helped break the weaker trend seen since mid March.

Meat & Livestock Australia said rain through the Central West, Northern Tablelands and parts of southern Queensland had a positive impact on cattle prices, with all cattle indicators lifting during the week. The national cattle yarding rose 9% to 71,230 head.

The strongest gains were seen in cow and restocker markets. The Processor Cow Indicator increased 10% to 326.5¢/kg liveweight, while the Restocker Yearling Heifer Indicator rose 6.5% to 342¢/kg liveweight. MLA said the lift reflected the importance of on farm conditions in recent cattle market sentiment.

Sheep and lamb markets were more mixed. National lamb yardings rose 10% to 162,200 head, while mutton yardings increased 55% to 87,644 head. Despite the larger mutton offering, prices remained stable, with the Mutton Indicator reaching 774.5¢/kg carcase weight.

Light lamb and trade lamb values eased over the week. The Light Lamb Indicator fell 4% to 1,079¢/kg carcase weight, while the Trade Lamb Indicator declined 3% to 1,151¢/kg carcase weight. Dubbo remained a stronger selling centre after rain, achieving premiums across both categories.

Slaughter data showed cattle processing remained historically elevated, with national cattle slaughter down 1% to 160,898 head for the week ending 1 May. Lamb slaughter fell 8.2% to 385,535 head, while mutton slaughter dropped 5.7% to 111,890 head, with public holidays affecting kill days in New South Wales and Western Australia.

For the wider red meat trade, the report highlights how quickly weather can shift Australian cattle market sentiment, while sheepmeat supply and processor demand continue to shape lamb and mutton pricing.

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Source: Meat & Livestock Australia | 8 May 2026

UK Firm to Build Europe’s Largest Cultivated Meat Facility

UK cultivated meat business Meatly is planning to build what it describes as Europe’s largest cultivated meat production facility after securing £10.4 million in Series A funding.

The London-based company said it will use the investment to expand its research and development capability and build a 20,000 litre bioreactor facility in London, with usable products expected from 2027.

Meatly is focused mainly on the pet food market and previously became the first company in Europe to receive approval to sell cultivated meat in 2024. The business is positioning cultivated chicken as a way to produce real meat without conventional livestock production.

The latest funding round brought in new investors including Oyster Bay Venture Capital, Clean Growth Fund and JamJar Investments. Meatly had previously raised £7 million in seed funding.

For the wider meat and protein sector, the development highlights continued investment in alternative production systems, particularly in pet food, where cultivated meat may reach consumers faster than products intended for human consumption. However, commercial scale, cost competitiveness and regulatory acceptance will remain key tests for the sector.

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Source: UKTN | 7 May 2026

Australian Red Meat Exports Adjust to Middle East Disruption

Australian red meat exporters are continuing to supply Middle Eastern markets despite disruption to freight, fuel and logistics linked to regional instability.

Meat & Livestock Australia said key Middle Eastern markets remain open to Australian red meat, with no formal border closures or trade bans in place. The main challenge is operational disruption rather than a collapse in demand.

Across Gulf Cooperation Council markets, exports are still moving, but reduced flight availability, shipping disruption and higher freight, insurance and energy costs are affecting shipment decisions. MLA said red meat exports into the region fell sharply in March, with volumes around 50% lower than February, before partially recovering in April.

The Gulf markets most affected include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Bahrain, which are more exposed to regional transport chokepoints. Markets outside the Gulf, including Egypt, Türkiye, Lebanon and Mauritius, have been less affected, although they account for smaller volumes.

Retail demand for red meat has remained resilient, particularly as more consumers eat at home. However, premium chilled beef and lamb availability has become more variable, while foodservice demand has been more mixed due to reduced tourism, travel warnings and lower dining out activity in some markets.

MLA said Australia’s diversified export base is helping the industry manage the disruption. With markets across Asia, North America, the UK and the Middle East, exporters are not reliant on one destination and can adjust volumes, product formats and logistics strategies as conditions change.

For the wider meat trade, the situation highlights the growing importance of supply chain flexibility, frozen product options and strong customer relationships during periods of global disruption.

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Source: Meat & Livestock Australia | 7 May 2026

Australian Beef Exports to UK Gain Momentum Under Free Trade Deal

Australian beef exports to the UK are gaining momentum, with April shipments reaching 2,700 tonnes, including 2,500 tonnes of chilled beef. The figure was more than three times higher than the volume recorded in April 2025.

According to Beef Central, year to date exports to the UK reached almost 7,300 tonnes by the end of April, compared with 2,800 tonnes during the same period last year. The report said recent activity suggests the UK market is now starting to deliver after a slow start following the UK Australia Free Trade Agreement.

Growth is being linked to several factors, including the trade agreement, lower UK red meat self sufficiency and demand for both grainfed beef and frozen grassfed beef. The increase also comes as the UK beef market adjusts to tighter domestic supply and rising import competition.

For UK buyers, the growth in Australian supply could provide more options across foodservice, manufacturing and premium chilled beef markets. For domestic and Irish producers, however, the trend adds another layer of competition in an already sensitive beef market.

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Source: Beef Central | 7 May 2026

Irish Cattle Prices Ease Despite Tight Supplies, Says AHDB

Irish cattle prices came under pressure through February and March, despite prime cattle slaughter remaining well below year earlier levels, according to AHDB.

AHDB said Irish prime cattle values fell for seven consecutive weeks during February and March, before steadying in recent weeks. Steers averaged 581p/kg in the week beginning 20 April, while the price gap with Great Britain widened to 47p/kg in the week beginning 27 April.

The fall in prices came despite continued supply constraints. Irish cattle kill, excluding calves, totalled 552,300 head in the 18 weeks to 27 April, down 13% on the same period last year. AHDB said tighter supplies are expected to remain a feature of the market through the rest of 2026.

Trade flows have also shifted. Irish imports of fresh and frozen beef rose nearly 70% in January and February to 6,800 tonnes, with the UK supplying more than 90% of that volume. Over the same period, Irish fresh and frozen beef exports fell 13% to 54,600 tonnes, with lower volumes reported to key markets including the UK, France and the Netherlands.

AHDB said Irish prices may now be more competitive against both Great Britain and continental Europe, which could support demand later in the year. However, beef price inflation in the UK and EU remains a key risk for consumer purchasing and overall beef demand.

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Source: AHDB | 7 May 2026

Beef and Lamb Roasting Joints Drive April Meat Inflation, Says AIMS

Meat and poultry prices rose by 4.06% in the 12 months to April 2026, according to the latest inflation report from the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers.

The annual figure is lower than the 7.95% recorded in the 12 months to March, but prices still moved upwards on a monthly basis, rising by 0.65% during April.

AIMS said beef and lamb were the main drivers of the monthly increase, with beef prices rising by 1.16% and lamb by 1.04% compared with March. These rises were partly balanced by falls in pork and chicken, which were down by 1.39% and 0.22% respectively.

Of the 30 meat and poultry lines tracked in the report, seven fell in price, seven remained unchanged and 16 increased. AIMS said beef roasting joints, up 9.57%, and lamb roasting joints, up 11.45%, were the standout increases.

Year on year, the overall meat and poultry inflation figure of 4.06% remains ahead of the 3.4% figure for food and non alcoholic beverages reported by the Office for National Statistics.

AIMS said annual price increases for beef and lamb continue to be the main contributors to meat inflation, while some chicken and pork cuts are still offering better value for shoppers at the chilled fixture. Chicken breast portions and thigh fillets have fallen year on year, while pork loin steaks, chops and mince are also giving consumers lower cost options.

Looking ahead, AIMS warned that rising costs across packaging, plastics, fuel, labour and farm inputs such as feed and fertiliser could continue to put upward pressure on meat and poultry prices in the coming months.

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Source: AIMS | 4 May 2026

US Beef Promotion Steps Up in London After Return of Duty Free UK Access

US beef exporters are stepping up promotional activity in London following the return of duty free access to the UK market under a new 13,000 metric tonne quota.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation said its London promotional events were a success, with activity including a reception at the U.S. Embassy, a trade dinner at Smith & Wollensky steakhouse and visits to key UK retailers including Costco and Marks & Spencer.

The first shipments of US beef under the new duty free quota arrived in March, marking the first zero duty access to the UK since Britain left the EU in 2020. The renewed access is expected to help US exporters rebuild business with British importers, foodservice operators and retailers.

Retail is also becoming a bigger focus. Costco is trialling US grain fed beef in the UK and using in store tasting demonstrations to introduce shoppers to the difference between American grain fed beef and the grass fed beef more familiar to many British consumers.

For the UK trade, the development could add more choice at the premium end of the beef market, particularly for steakhouse, foodservice and retail buyers looking for consistent eating quality and alternative supply options.

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Source: BEEF Magazine / U.S. Meat Export Federation | 4 May 2026

US Beef Regains Duty Free Access to UK Market

US beef has regained duty free access to the UK market for the first time in more than five years, following the introduction of a new UK US trade framework.

The agreement creates a 13,000 metric tonne duty free quota for US beef, with the first products reportedly arriving in the UK last month. The move follows the loss of duty free access after Brexit, which had increased costs for British importers and made the UK market harder for US exporters to serve.

The US Meat Export Federation is marking the renewed access with events in London, including activity at the US Embassy and a trade dinner aimed at showcasing US beef to importers, distributors, foodservice buyers and prospective retail customers.

The development could increase the availability of premium US beef in the UK, particularly within the restaurant and foodservice sector, while also giving US exporters a clearer route back into the British market.

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Source: BEEF Magazine | 27 April 2026