Meat and livestock exports rose by over 20 per cent in the UK last year, according to figures from industry bodies BPEX and EBLEX. The export market was worth £2.325 billion in 2011, according to figures released today by the lobbying bodies.

The two groups stated that tight global supply, a favourable exchange rate benefitted the UK industry, as did confidence and hard work, leading to a 22 per cent rise over 2010 levels. Beef exports, which were banned following the BSE crisis, but which resumed in 2006, have also steadily increased.

The groups said forecasts for 2012 also looked promising, with further expansion planned in Europe, but also further east, following the announcement of support for a major export drive by the government earlier in the year. The Far East is currently the fastest growing export region for UK meat, according to the industry bodies.

Jean-Pierre Garnier, export manager for EBLEX and BPEX, said, “These impressive figures vindicate our efforts and those of individual exporters to boost exports of livestock products over the last few years.

“Without strategic planning and hard work we would not be in a position to take advantage of the situation. There is certainly a high level of enthusiasm and confidence among meat exporters which augurs well for the future.”

Although other animal product exports, such as offal and skins, were factored into the export estimates by EBLEX and BPEX, HMRC export statistics show that the vast majority of animal product exports were made up of carcase meat. Of this, beef represented 18.8 per cent, lamb and mutton 16.3 per cent, poultry 13.1 per cent and pork 7.4 per cent of the total value.

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