Kepak Reassesses Deboning Capacity at Clonee Site

Kepak Group is reviewing its beef deboning and cutting operations at its Clonee facility in County Meath. This is due to ongoing supply constraints in the Irish beef sector, according to reporting by Agriland.

Kepak said it currently has more deboning and cutting capacity than available cattle supplies can sustain. This prompts a reassessment of how operations are structured at the site. The company stressed that the review reflects wider structural pressures rather than short-term market disruption.

The move highlights the impact of shrinking cattle numbers and tight throughput across Ireland. Processors are increasingly being forced to align capacity with reduced supply. Similar pressures are being felt across the wider EU beef sector as herd contraction continues.

The review underlines how sustained supply tightness is now influencing operational decisions at processor level. It is no longer merely supporting higher cattle prices.

---

Source: Agriland | 13 January 2026

New Sheep Carcase Classification Rules Come Into Force

New regulations mandating classification and price reporting for sheep carcases came into effect on Monday 12 January 2026. This brings the sheep sector in line with existing rules for beef and pork.

The measures, introduced by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs via UK Government, follow extensive consultation with industry and are designed to create a consistent and transparent grading system. Producers will now receive clearer information on how sheep are assessed at slaughter and how prices are determined.

Equivalent regulations for Scottish slaughterhouses also took effect this week, while Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to introduce matching measures in early 2026. The government says the reforms will strengthen confidence in pricing, improve comparability across plants, and support fairer outcomes for producers.

The changes form part of a broader push to improve supply-chain transparency across the red meat sector.

---

Source: GOV.UK / Defra | 13 January 2026

Mexico Shifts Red Meat Import Policy and Probes US Pork

Mexico has changed its red meat import framework, ending blanket duty-free access and reintroducing tariff rate quotas (TRQs), while simultaneously launching an anti dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imports of US pork, according to reporting by National Hog Farmer.

The reintroduction of TRQs is expected to primarily affect non-FTA suppliers, including Brazil, as in quota volumes retain preferential treatment while out of quota imports face duties. The move marks a shift toward more managed access as Mexico balances domestic producer protection with supply needs.

At the same time, Mexican authorities have opened investigations into US hams and pork shoulders, creating uncertainty for American exporters that have relied on Mexico as a key destination. The probes could lead to additional duties if dumping or subsidisation is confirmed.

---

Source: National Hog Farmer | 14 January 2026

Lamb Sales Surge Over Christmas as Turkey Declines, AHDB Reports

UK shoppers shifted their festive meat choices over Christmas 2025. Lamb volumes went up 17.2% while turkey sales fell. This is according to new consumer insight from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The standout performer was lamb leg roasting joints, which saw a 24.7% increase in purchases. This was driven by strong promotional activity and demand for premium yet versatile centre-of-plate options. AHDB said the results underline lamb’s growing appeal as an alternative festive roast.

The report also highlights the rising importance of convenience and value-led ranges. While overall beef volumes declined, beef roasting joints increased by 8.6%. In addition, convenience products performed strongly across all major meat categories.

AHDB concluded that retailers and producers able to balance premium cuts with convenient formats are best positioned to capture consumer demand. This advantage will increase as shopping habits continue to evolve.

---

Source: AHDB | 13 January 2026

China Quotas Open Door for More NZ Beef

New Chinese safeguard tariffs on beef imports are expected to benefit New Zealand farmers and exporters, while constraining supply from competitors, according to reporting by Rural News Group NZ.

China has introduced 55% duties on beef imported above quota levels, while beef shipped within country quotas continues to enjoy duty-free access. New Zealand has been allocated an annual beef quota of 206,000 tonnes for 2026, rising to 214,000 tonnes in subsequent years. This is well above New Zealand’s recent export volumes, which have averaged around 150,000 tonnes, leaving significant headroom for growth.

In contrast, Australia is expected to hit its quota earlier, raising the risk of a supply shortfall that industry estimates could reach up to 200,000 tonnes. As a result, New Zealand is well positioned to fill any gap in Chinese demand, particularly for manufacturing and commodity beef.

---

Source: Rural News Group NZ | 13 January 2026

Danish Crown Expands Operations With New Facility

Danish Crown has announced plans to expand its operations with the development of a new processing facility, responding to growing demand for pork products, according to reporting by FoodBev.

The investment is aimed at increasing capacity and improving efficiency as demand strengthens across both retail and foodservice channels. Danish Crown said the new site will support long-term growth ambitions while helping the group remain competitive amid rising costs and tighter livestock supply across Europe.

The expansion reflects a broader trend within the pork sector, where processors are investing selectively in modern facilities to secure throughput, improve automation, and meet evolving customer requirements.

---

Source: FoodBev | 12 January 2026

New UK Plans Announced to Improve Welfare for Laying Hens and Lambs

The UK government has set out new proposals to improve animal welfare standards for laying hens and lambs, opening an eight-week consultation on changes that would affect poultry and sheep producers across the country.

Under the plans, published by the UK Government through Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), all colony cage systems for laying hens would be phased out by 2032. The move has received backing from major retailers and strong public support, reflecting a continued shift towards cage-free egg production.

For lambs, the proposals focus on reducing pain from routine husbandry procedures, including tighter controls on castration and tail docking. Measures include wider use of pain relief and encouragement of alternative methods where possible.

The proposals form part of the government’s wider Animal Welfare Strategy, with Defra seeking views from farmers, processors, retailers and stakeholders before final decisions are made.

---

Source: UK Government / Defra | 12 January 2026

Indonesia Cuts Private Meat Import Quota to 30,000 Tonnes

Indonesia has sharply reduced the meat import quota allocated to private companies for 2026, cutting it to 30,000 tonnes, down from 180,000 tonnes the previous year.

According to reporting by Jakarta Globe, business associations have warned the move could disrupt supply to the hotel, restaurant and catering sector, where imported meat plays a key role in meeting demand for premium and consistent-quality products.

Industry groups argue the reduced quota is insufficient for private sector needs and have urged the Indonesian government to review the policy, warning it could push up prices, constrain menu offerings, and increase reliance on state-linked import channels.

The decision highlights the ongoing tension in Indonesia between food security policy, domestic production goals, and the needs of commercial foodservice operators.

---

Source: Jakarta Globe | 12 January 2026

Turkey Sector Bears Brunt of Italy Bird Flu Cases

Recent outbreaks of avian influenza in Italy have primarily affected turkey farms, placing pressure on one of Europe’s most important poultry production segments, according to reporting by Poultry World.

Industry data indicates that turkeys have been disproportionately impacted compared with other poultry species, leading to heightened biosecurity measures, movement restrictions, and flock losses in affected regions. Italy is a major producer of turkey meat within the EU, meaning disruptions could have wider implications for European poultry supply chains.

The situation reinforces concerns across the poultry sector that avian influenza has become a persistent structural risk, particularly for high-density production systems. Producers and regulators continue to balance disease control with maintaining supply, as pressure builds for longer-term solutions including vaccination strategies.

---

Source: Poultry World | 12 January 2026

Poultry Farmer Warns Bird Flu Could Decimate UK Industry Without Vaccine

A long-established poultry farmer has warned that avian influenza could severely damage the UK poultry industry. This could happen unless vaccination is introduced alongside existing biosecurity measures.

Jeff Cracknell, who farms on the Somerset Levels, said measures such as netting flocks within bird flu surveillance zones are not sufficient. They cannot control a disease that is now endemic in wild bird populations. His farm, which keeps around 250 ducks and 1,000 chickens, lies within a 10-mile surveillance zone following a nearby outbreak. This outbreak resulted in a full cull.

Cracknell argued that eradication is unrealistic given the role of migratory birds. He warned that continued outbreaks are already disrupting breeder flocks and the supply of day-old chicks. This creates knock-on effects across the sector. He said rising disease pressure is adding to challenges already caused by weather and production costs.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that a vaccine trial using turkeys could begin as early as this spring. It will be at its Weybridge site. The 24-week trial is intended to assess whether vaccines can be safely and effectively deployed in UK farming conditions. This will be alongside existing biosecurity controls.

The debate reflects growing industry concern that current control strategies may be insufficient. This is because avian influenza becomes a persistent, long-term threat to poultry production.

---

Source: BBC News | 12 December 2025