US- imports of sheepmeat rise

US imports of sheetmeat surged ahead in April, with the majority of increases coming from Australia, which has tariff-free access to the States. Imports are up 3% in the first half of 2019 compared with the year earlier.

UK – exports of red meat up in first half of year

UK exports of red meat and offal are up 13% to more than 300,000t for the first six months of the year. According to the latest figures, more than £711m worth of beef, lamb and pork products were shipped. Almost half of the shipments were to non-EU markets.

China- imported protein surges

Since the discovery of African Swine Fever last year in its pig herd, China’s demand for imported protein has surged. Imports of red meat and poultry have increased by almost 550,000t in the first half of 2019 to 2.6 million tonnes.

The Netherlands- beef production to fall for first time

For the first time since the implementation of environmental sanctions on The Netherlands in 2015, beef production is forecast to fall. It is expected to be down 1.2% this year, to 454,000 tonnes. Beef cattle numbers declined 8.4% in 2018 to 3,690 thousand head.