Imports of processed beef in 2007 decreased by 14 per cent to 69,000 tonnes, while corned beef imports grew 15 per cent to 50,800 tonnes.

EU imports rise 3%, South American fall 6%

There was little change to fresh/frozen beef imports from ROI in 2007 at almost 146,000 tonnes, but processed imports dropped by a quarter to 49,100 tonnes. Ireland was the major supplier of fresh/frozen and processed beef to the UK with a combined 61 per cent share in those markets. Imports from the Netherlands and Germany increased by 19 and 17 per cent respectively.

Imports of fresh/frozen beef from Brazil dropped by 10 per cent, but imports of processed beef grew by 15 per cent to 17,400 tonnes and corned beef imports increased by 16 per cent to 41,200 tonnes. While imports from Uruguay rose 22 per cent to 9,300 tonnes, they decreased from Argentina by almost one third to 3,450 tonnes. Imports from South America decreased by six per cent to 38,600 tonnes.

UK Beef Fresh/Frozen Imports (tonnes)
	Jan-Dec 2005	Jan- Dec 2006	Jan-Dec 2007	% change 2007-2006	Jan/Dec Import Share
Fresh & Frozen	239,895	235,721	238,315	+1	-
from EU-27	176,424	180,179	184,829	+3	78%
from non EU-27	63,471	55,542	53,486	-4	22%
Main source
ROI	136,540	144,988	145,944	+1	61%
Brazil	32,236	28,604	25,871	-10	11%
Increasing 06 to 07
The Netherlands	12,672	12,892	15,313	+19	6%
Germany	9,205	11,025	12,898	+17	5%
Uruguay	6,991	7,614	9,268	+22	4%
Namibia	5,862	3,524	4,823	+37	2%
Botswana	3,461	2,380	3,897	+64	2%
Decreasing 06 to 07
Australia	4,681	6,214	3,955	-36	2%
Argentina	9,084	5,015	3,453	-31	1%

UK Beef Exports Grow 44 Per Cent in 2007

UK beef exports increased by 44 per cent in 2007 to 58,700 tonnes and the value of exports grew by 34 per cent to £124 million. The Netherlands accounted for a third of exports at almost 20,000 tonnes, while exports to ROI doubled to 18,500 tonnes. The French market expanded by 54 per cent to 8,400 tonnes. In 2006 exports from NI accounted for 28 per cent of the UK trade and this figure is expected to grow in 2007, due to the export bans in GB in the second half of the year.

Buletongue "Import" Restrictions Extended

The NI Executive has agreed to extend the import controls in relation to Bluetongue Disease, which came into effect on Saturday 1 March, until Thursday 13 March. Imports of female cattle over 12 months and female sheep over 6 months from Bluetongue restricted zones are suspended as a temporary and precautionary measure following the case of Bluetongue in animals imported to a North Antrim farm. This case indicated that Bluetongue Disease can be transmitted from cows to calves.

The meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health this week amended the Bluetongue Regulation to strengthen movement controls, for pregnant animals from Bluetongue restricted zones and these amendments should come into effect in the near future. DARD is reviewing these amendments before deciding on its next course of action. To allow time for this review the current imports controls have been extended.

Further Reading

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