UNECE Issues New Beef Eating Quality Recommendations

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has issued new international recommendations aimed at improving the prediction and consistency of beef eating quality, building on the Meat 3G assessment system.

The updated guidance integrates animal characteristics, rearing conditions and carcass traits to predict eating quality outcomes such as tenderness, juiciness and flavour. Unlike traditional grading systems that rely heavily on visual carcase assessment alone, the Meat 3G approach combines on-farm and processing data to deliver a more accurate forecast of consumer satisfaction.

According to researchers at INRAE, adoption of the Meat 3G system can generate additional value of between €0.10 and €0.55 per kilogram across the beef supply chain. The gains are primarily driven by better carcase differentiation, improved market alignment and reduced variability in eating quality for end consumers.

UNECE says the recommendations are designed to support value based trading, giving farmers clearer incentives to optimise production systems while allowing processors and retailers to better match product specifications to market demand. The framework is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing national grading schemes.

The recommendations are voluntary but are expected to inform future discussions on harmonised beef quality standards across Europe and internationally.

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Source: Eurasia Review | 7 February 2026

Post-Brexit UK Farm Exports to EU Fall by Over a Third

Exports of British farm products to the European Union have fallen by 37.4% in the five years since 2019. This underlines the lasting structural impact of Brexit on UK agricultural trade with its largest former market.

According to analysis published by The Guardian, the sharpest declines have been recorded in the poultry and beef sectors. Poultry exports to the EU have dropped by 37.7%, while beef exports are down 23.6% compared with pre-Brexit levels. Lamb exports have fallen 14%, and dairy shipments are down 15.6% over the same period.

The figures highlight how non tariff barriers, veterinary certification requirements and border friction have fundamentally altered trade flows. Meanwhile, some costs and delays have eased since the immediate post-Brexit period. However, the data suggests that lost EU market share has proven difficult to recover.

Speaking in response to the findings, Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers’ Union, warned that simply reducing bureaucracy will not automatically restore exports.

He said many European retailers and buyers have already restructured their supply chains. They replaced British suppliers with EU-based alternatives during the initial disruption following Brexit. As a result, even modest improvements in market access may not be enough to reverse the decline.

The report comes as the UK and EU prepare for renewed engagement on agri-food trade as part of a wider “reset” in relations. In this context, fortnightly political meetings are being established to manage negotiations across farming and food policy. Additionally, a UK-EU leaders’ summit is expected in late spring or early summer 2026.

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Source: The Guardian | 7 February 2026

MLA Releases 2026 Global Meat Market Snapshots

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has published its 2026 Global Market Snapshots to provide insights into the global meat market outlook. The publication outlines key trends shaping beef, sheepmeat and goatmeat markets across major international destinations. These changes are happening as global supply tightens and trade flows adjust.

The snapshots highlight ongoing cattle herd contraction in the United States and continued strong demand across Asian markets. There is also a rebalancing of global beef supply led by exporters such as Australia, Brazil and New Zealand. MLA notes that declining US beef production is expected to support global prices. This trend is also creating new export opportunities for southern hemisphere suppliers. As a result, the global meat market outlook has become particularly relevant for exporters navigating these changes.

In sheepmeat, global supply remains constrained, with Australia and New Zealand continuing to dominate export availability. Meanwhile, demand from the Middle East, China and emerging Asian markets is expected to remain resilient. However, price sensitivity is increasing in some regions amid economic pressure. These factors are central to discussions on the global meat market outlook for 2026.

MLA said the snapshots are designed to provide exporters, processors and producers with a clear, comparable overview of international market conditions. Anyone involved in strategic planning or risk management should consider the global meat market outlook as outlined by MLA when making decisions in an increasingly volatile global environment.

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Source: Meat & Livestock Australia | 6 February 2026

China’s Ongoing Lockout of US Beef Continues

China continues to block most US beef exports. The majority of American beef production has been effectively locked out of the Chinese market since March 2025, according to industry leaders.

The issue stems from China’s ongoing refusal to renew export registrations for US beef production plants and cold storage facilities. Without valid registrations, product from these facilities cannot legally enter the Chinese market. Only a small fraction of US beef is eligible for export.

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) has warned that the prolonged exclusion is undermining the overall value of the US beef carcase at a critical time for the industry. US cattle inventories are at historically low levels. Therefore, access to high-value export markets is seen as essential to maximising returns across the full range of cuts.

USMEF leaders stress that China plays a disproportionate role in carcase balance because it absorbs cuts that attract weaker demand domestically. The continued lockout is therefore placing pressure on prices for certain muscles and by-products. This is happening even as overall beef supplies remain tight.

Industry sources say the situation remains unresolved despite ongoing dialogue between US authorities and Chinese regulators. The registration impasse highlights broader trade tensions and regulatory friction between the two countries. There is little clarity on when or how access might be restored.

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Source: Beef Magazine | 6 February 2026

Welsh Suckler Herd Drops 40% Over Two Decades

The Welsh suckler herd has declined by nearly 40% over the past 20 years, raising serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of beef production in Wales and the wider UK.

According to analysis highlighted by Farmers Weekly, the number of Welsh suckler herds fell to 6,595 in 2023, down sharply from early-2000s levels. The contraction reflects a combination of rising production costs, regulatory pressure, labour shortages and declining confidence among beef producers.

NFU Cymru has warned that the loss of critical mass is now threatening the viability of the Welsh beef supply chain, from farm businesses through to processors and rural employment. In response, the union has launched a new report calling for urgent and targeted government intervention to stabilise and rebuild the suckler sector.

The report also highlights broader implications for UK food security. Projections suggest the UK beef supply shortfall could widen to 278,000 tonnes by 2030 if domestic production continues to decline. Industry leaders warn this would increase reliance on imports at a time when global beef markets are becoming more volatile.

NFU Cymru argues that suckler herds play a vital role in utilising marginal land, supporting biodiversity and maintaining rural communities. Without policy support that recognises these wider benefits, further contraction is likely.

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Source: Farmers Weekly | 6 February 2026

USA Increases Argentine Beef Quota to Tackle Rising Prices

The United States has moved to ease pressure on its domestic beef market by temporarily increasing imports of Argentine beef, as record-low cattle numbers push ground beef prices sharply higher.

In a proclamation issued by The White House, the US President approved an additional 80,000 metric tonnes per year of tariff-rate quota access for lean beef trimmings from Argentina. The measure is designed to support burger and manufacturing beef supplies, where shortages have been most acute.

US cattle inventories are currently at their lowest levels in decades following prolonged drought, wildfire losses and herd liquidation. The situation has been compounded by reduced imports from Mexico, further tightening supplies of lean grinding beef used across retail and foodservice.

According to the White House fact sheet, the quota increase is intended to stabilise consumer prices while maintaining existing food safety and import standards. Officials stressed that the move is temporary and targeted, rather than a broader liberalisation of beef imports.

Market analysts say the decision highlights the growing structural imbalance in the US beef sector, where declining domestic production is increasingly colliding with resilient consumer demand. The additional Argentine supply is expected to flow primarily into manufacturing channels, easing pressure on packers and quick-service restaurant operators.

For global exporters, the move reinforces Argentina’s strategic role in supplying lean beef to the US market at a time when alternative sources are constrained and global beef trade flows are being reshaped.

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Source: The White House | 6 February 2026

Britain’s meat inflation eases in January, but Ramadan set to push Halal lamb prices higher

Britain’s meat inflation slowed sharply in January, according to the latest AIMS Meat Inflation Report, although upward pressure is expected to return as Ramadan approaches.

The January 2026 report shows that average meat prices rose by just 0.32% (£0.04 per kg) during the month. However, year-on-year inflation remains elevated, with average prices up 12.58% (£1.38 per kg) compared with January 2025.

Monthly trends across beef, lamb, pork and chicken

During January, all four major categories — beef, lamb, pork and chicken — saw some individual cuts remain flat or fall slightly in price. Overall movements, however, varied by species.

Beef prices increased by 0.75% month on month, driven largely by a £1.18 per kg rise in roasting joints. Lamb prices also edged higher, rising 1.58%, with leg joints up £2.11 per kg. Both cuts were heavily promoted by retailers during December, and January pricing suggests supermarkets sought to recover margin following the festive period.

By contrast, pork prices fell slightly, down 0.14%, while chicken prices dropped more sharply by 5.68%. Together, these declines offset beef and lamb increases, keeping overall meat inflation modest for the month.

Annual inflation still driven by beef and lamb

Looking at the 12-month period from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2026, all four categories recorded inflation, although the scale varied significantly.

Chicken showed the lowest annual increase at just 0.22%, with several cuts — including bone-in and filleted thighs — cheaper than a year earlier. This has been influenced by retailer price-matching and rollback promotions, particularly from Aldi and Asda.

Pork prices rose 1.27% year on year, led by roasting cuts. Leg increased by 10.87%, while shoulder rose 10.51%. Despite this, AIMS notes that pork continues to offer strong consumer value, aligning with AHDB’s current “British Pork, But Not As You Know It” campaign.

However, it is beef and lamb that continue to drive overall inflation. Lamb prices are up 4.46% year on year, while beef has surged by 29.9%, reflecting tight supply and strong demand.

Ramadan expected to lift Halal lamb prices

Looking ahead, AIMS expects further upward pressure on prices during February and March. With Valentine’s Day approaching, beef and lamb steaks are likely to rise. In addition, Ramadan (17 February to 18 March) is expected to significantly increase demand for Halal lamb and Halal chicken.

Weekly lamb throughput is already down by 2,387 head (1.22%), suggesting farmers may be holding stock back in anticipation of stronger Ramadan-driven liveweight prices.

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Source: Aims | 5 February 2026

Fresh Concerns Over UK Border Controls After ASF Linked Products Found on Sale

Fresh concerns have been raised over the effectiveness of UK border controls. This follows the discovery of food products linked to a Vietnamese company at the centre of an African Swine Fever (ASF) scandal found on sale in the UK.

According to reporting by Pig World, the products originated from a company implicated in an overseas ASF incident. In that incident, meat from infected pigs was reportedly used in production. As a result, the discovery has prompted renewed scrutiny of the UK’s import checks and wider biosecurity regime.

African Swine Fever poses no risk to human health but represents a serious threat to the pig sector. If introduced, it could have devastating consequences for national herds. Industry figures have warned that the presence of such products on the UK market exposes potential weaknesses in border inspection, traceability and enforcement.

The incident comes amid heightened concern across the meat industry about illegal imports and disease risks. This concern has grown, particularly following recent seizures of illicit meat at UK ports. Consequently, stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger controls to protect domestic livestock, maintain export market confidence and uphold food safety standards.

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Source: Pig World | 5 February 2026

NPA Welcomes EFRA Committee Recommendations on EU-UK SPS Deal

The National Pig Association has welcomed a new report from Parliament’s EFRA Committee on the ongoing negotiations for a UK-EU sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, urging the government to adopt safeguards that protect domestic producers.

The EFRA Committee’s report calls on ministers to avoid automatic regulatory alignment with the EU where it could disadvantage UK farmers. Key recommendations include securing carve-outs on animal welfare standards, strengthening border controls, and protecting the UK’s ability to advance precision breeding technologies.

The NPA said the report reflects long-standing concerns within the pig sector that UK producers could be undercut by lower-standard imports if regulatory differences are not carefully managed. It also stressed the importance of robust import checks to maintain biosecurity and protect the UK herd.

The association urged the government to use the SPS negotiations to deliver practical trade facilitation without weakening domestic standards, warning that producers are already operating under higher regulatory and cost pressures than many EU competitors.

The EFRA Committee has also recommended a phased implementation period for any regulatory changes, giving farmers and processors time to adapt if an agreement is reached.

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Source: National Pig Association | 5 February 2026

Heavier Birds Drive Up UK Poultry Production

UK poultry meat production rose in December 2025 as heavier broiler weights and increased slaughterings lifted overall output, reinforcing poultry’s position as the UK’s most resilient protein sector.

Total poultry meat production reached 169,300 tonnes in December, driven by a 7.4% year-on-year increase in broiler slaughterings to 92.8 million birds and a rise in average liveweight to 2.5kg per bird. The data highlights how efficiency gains at farm and processor level continue to offset wider cost pressures in the sector.

On an annual basis, UK poultry meat production increased from 2.034 million tonnes in 2024 to 2.065 million tonnes in 2025, reflecting steady growth despite challenges linked to stocking density changes, bird health management and volatile input costs.

Egg production also strengthened. More than 270 million dozen eggs were produced for human consumption during 2025, a 7% increase year on year. Farmgate egg prices rose 1.2% in Q4 2025, averaging 148 pence per dozen, supporting producer margins after a turbulent period for the laying sector.

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Source: Poultry News | 5 February 2026