Meat exporters will have the opportunity to learn about the impact of coronavirus on global trade during the first in a series of export webinars starting next month.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) will host the first webinar on June 3, which will primarily focus on the Asian marketplace – a region which is crucial for the UK’s pork exports and will have an increased impact on the beef sector longer term.

The hour-long event entitled ‘COVID-19 impacts on global trade’ will provide valuable insight into the global challenges and opportunities for UK meat exports as well as an in-depth look at key markets in Asia.

Starting at 2pm, the webinar will include a presentation from Rupert Claxton, Meat Director at global consultants GIRA, who will discuss the likely impact to meat trade in key regions and suggest how markets will respond and react over time.

AHDB’s International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley and Jonathan Eckley, Head of Asia Pacific, will discuss the current situation in markets, such as China, and the ongoing work of AHDB to maximise UK meat exports around the world.

This series of webinars will replace the annual export conference hosted by AHDB, which has been cancelled due to the current circumstances.

Dr Hadley said: “The whole world is feeling the effects of coronavirus and the UK red meat sector is no exception. In this first webinar we will focus primarily on the Asian marketplace – a hugely important region for UK meat exports, not least the pork sector which is the protein of choice across the region.

“We are delighted that Rupert has agreed to provide some valuable insight into the current situation by means of a study that has been commissioned by industry and AHDB which gives an overall picture of the impact coronavirus is having on global trade.”

To register for the webinar, visit https://ahdb.org.uk/events/webinar-covid-19-impacts-on-global-trade