British beef exports have soared this year on the back of the weakened pound and a sharp fall in the availability of South American meat in the EU.
UK volume exports of beef rose 8% in the first seven months of the year to more than 41,000 tonnes, according to Eblex, as favourable exchange rates and relaxed controls on British meat made it more attractive in Europe.
Sales were also boosted by a fall in Argentinian and Brazilian sales to the EU, said Peter Hardwick, international manager of Eblex. Brazilian imports are expected to be down as much as 70% in 2008 compared with last year.
The EU-imposed requirement for better traceability systems in Brazil had slashed the number of exporting farms from more than 5,000 to fewer than 500, he said. However, with almost 30 Brazilian farms becoming registered every week, the country would become more competitive again next year, he warned.
But despite fears the economic climate would force consumers to eat less red meat, the longer-term outlook remained very positive, Hardwick said. “The recession is a blip. There is still a global shortage of protein, and meat consumption is predicted to continue to rise sharply in the next 20 to 30 years.”
China is set to become a major consumer of beef. A visit by Hong Kong vets to the UK last month could potentially open the door to the valuable Chinese market, according to Jean-Pierre Garnier, head of export at Eblex. The delegation visited processors, farms and Meat Hygiene Service laboratories to examine BSE precautions and traceability systems.
UK volume exports of beef rose 8% in the first seven months of the year to more than 41,000 tonnes, according to Eblex, as favourable exchange rates and relaxed controls on British meat made it more attractive in Europe.
Sales were also boosted by a fall in Argentinian and Brazilian sales to the EU, said Peter Hardwick, international manager of Eblex. Brazilian imports are expected to be down as much as 70% in 2008 compared with last year.
The EU-imposed requirement for better traceability systems in Brazil had slashed the number of exporting farms from more than 5,000 to fewer than 500, he said. However, with almost 30 Brazilian farms becoming registered every week, the country would become more competitive again next year, he warned.
But despite fears the economic climate would force consumers to eat less red meat, the longer-term outlook remained very positive, Hardwick said. “The recession is a blip. There is still a global shortage of protein, and meat consumption is predicted to continue to rise sharply in the next 20 to 30 years.”
China is set to become a major consumer of beef. A visit by Hong Kong vets to the UK last month could potentially open the door to the valuable Chinese market, according to Jean-Pierre Garnier, head of export at Eblex. The delegation visited processors, farms and Meat Hygiene Service laboratories to examine BSE precautions and traceability systems.
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