Opportunities to drive up sales of British meat were discussed at the first Northern Beef and Sheep Conference for more than 10 years.
Sheep farmers, in particular, have had a difficult time as a result of low market prices. The National Farmers Union joined forces with AHDB Beef and Lamb to organise the Northern Beef and Sheep Conference – a one-day event held at the Scotch Corner Hotel near Richmond in North Yorkshire. Livestock farmers turned out in numbers to hear how the industry could address market challenges.
Minette Batters, deputy president of the NFU, and Laura Ryan, sector strategy director with AHDB Beef and Lamb, said that the industry needed to exploit the high quality of British farmed meat to secure more sales both at home and abroad. Laura Ryan outlined a marketing plan to encourage consumers to buy more UK beef and lamb.
Jean-Pierre Garnier, AHDB Beef & Lamb Export Manager, said maximising opportunities for sheep meat with EU markets and developing more markets for lower valued cuts and fifth quarter products for outside the EU will play a vital role in maximising returns and managing market volatility as we move forwards.
“This work is about examining the dynamics of the world sheep meat market and foreseeing the international trade factors likely to affect the British sheep sector over the next few years. The UK is an important player on the world sheep meat market. We are by far the largest producer in Europe and the third largest exporter worldwide.
“Although we rely heavily on the European market, equally important will be the continuation of our strategy to export products for which there is little or no demand domestically and elsewhere in Europe to markets where they are valued. Typically, these products are in greater demand in a number of non-EU countries where we have either secured market access or are working hard to do so. This will help maximise use of the carcase and thus maximise returns for the UK supply chain.
Sales of lamb in October and November 2015 were up eight per cent by volume, according to the latest 12-week figures.
Value of the sales in the 12 weeks to December 6 was up seven per cent compared to the same period last year. Leg roasting joints were the star performer, with the number of households buying that particular cut increasing 12 per cent to just over one in 10.
“These figures for lamb retails sales are a really positive way to end what has been a difficult year for many sheep meat producers,” said Laura Ryan, AHDB Sector Strategy Director for Beef and Lamb.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss today welcomed the growing global appetite for British meat which last year generated £1.27 billion to the UK economy and committed to exploring new markets to meet growing demands for British meat as she met with representatives from the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA).
See also: Environment Secretary meets industry chiefs to explore new markets for meat
