AHDB: Growing UK lamb exports continue to lend support to domestic prices
Imports
UK sheep meat imports (fresh, frozen, processed and offal) reached 65,100 tonnes in the first nine months of 2025, an increase of 7% on the year. With global sheep prices remaining historically firm, the rise in volumes has also translated into a more pronounced increase in the overall value of imports which has reached £365 million for Jan-Sep 2025, up 31% compared to the same period a year ago.
New Zealand remained the leading supplier, with shipments broadly steady year on year at 37,900 tonnes, just 1% lower than the previous year. This stability indicates that New Zealand exporters continue to balance UK demand against opportunities in other markets, particularly in the EU and Asia, together with reduced production levels.
Australia, by contrast, has expanded its presence significantly, lifting volumes from 13,800 tonnes in 2024 to 19,200 tonnes in 2025 (Jan-Sep), an increase of over 39% year-on-year. Australian volumes to the UK have increased sharply, supported by expanded tariff-free access and the diversion of product from softer Asian markets, even as overall Australian sheep meat supply remains relatively tight.
From closer to home, imports from Ireland totalled 5,800 tonnes, down 12% year-on-year, likely reflecting tighter Irish production and price competitiveness challenges against southern hemisphere suppliers.
By product type, the import mix remains dominated by frozen sheep meat, particularly from New Zealand and Australia. Frozen imports rose from 44,300 tonnes in Jan-Sep 2024 to 49,700 tonnes in 2025, a growth of just over 12%. Fresh sheep meat imports fell more sharply, declining by 24% to 7,500 tonnes, largely a consequence of reduced fresh imports from New Zealand.
Exports
UK sheep meat exports for Jan-Sep 2025 totalled 68,300 tonnes, a 15% increase on the year. Exports strengthened as tight EU production and high EU prices increased demand for UK new-season lamb, despite UK supplies being somewhat limited year-on-year. Total value of exports over this period has also lifted, up 16% compared to the same period a year ago to £493 million.
France remained the UK’s key destination, with volumes rising to 37,400 tonnes, up 20% year-on-year. This reflects firm French demand for UK lamb, particularly around key consumption periods. Exports to Belgium also grew strongly, increasing by 34% to 8,800 tonnes, while shipments to the Netherlands climbed by 14%. These gains highlight the continued importance of nearby European markets for trade and have supported the domestic lamb price in recent months.
Within non-EU trade, a standout growth market was Côte d’Ivoire, where volumes more than doubled (up almost 150%) to 1,000 tonnes, underlining robust demand for offal in this market.
Fresh exports increased to 59,100 tonnes, up over 14% year-on-year. Frozen exports, by contrast, declined to 3,100 tonnes, a fall of 15%, indicating a greater reliance on fresh carcase and cuts trade with nearby EU markets.
Offal exports recorded particularly strong growth, rising to 5,800 tonnes, up over 60% year on year, reflecting increased demand from EU and non-EU markets where lower-value cuts provide an important and affordable protein source.
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