UK: Strong Q1 lamb exports driven by robust continental demand
Imports
Imported volumes of sheep meat (fresh, frozen, processed and offal) into the UK remained consistent in Jan-March (Q1) 2026, up just 0.6% on the year to total 19,200 tonnes.
Global sheep prices remain strong, with imported values continuing to increase. Q1 imported sheep meat values were up 23% versus the same period last year, at £126.5 million.
New Zealand remains the largest exporter to the UK with 11,000 tonnes of product shipped in Q1 2026. This was down by 9% on 2025, indicative of the NZ sheep flock shrinking, and diversifying export opportunities arising for New Zealand. Australian imports were up by 32% on the year previous in Q1, reaching 5,600 tonnes. Although the 2025 quota was not filled, the volumes shipped are increasing. With UK domestic supply tightening and the UK continuing to be a high value market globally, it reasons that volumes entering the UK from Australia under this FTA will likely continue to grow.
Volumes from EU27 to the UK in Q1 2026 were up by 2%, to a total of 2,400 tonnes. This is primarily made up of Irish product, which was up 4% to 2,100 tonnes.
When broken down by product type, imports continue to be dominated by Australian and New Zealand frozen sheep meat. Frozen imports were up by 5% YoY in Q1 compared to 2025 to 15,000 tonnes. This was dominated by frozen leg meat (34% of total imports), frozen boneless meat (21% of total imports) and frozen bone-in cuts (10% of total imports).
Fresh sheep meat imports fell again in Q1, back 16% compared to 2025 totalling 2,200 tonnes. Much of this is boneless cuts from Australia and Ireland, and legs from New Zealand.
Offal fell by 12% to 1,700 tonnes while processed sheep meat was up 9% to 200 tonnes.
Exports
Total UK sheep meat exports for Q1 of 2026 totalled 26,800 tonnes, up 19% year on year.
Exports to the EU grew 18% on the year. Continued supply tightness in key export partners such as France (+9%) and Germany (+35%) has driven this. This is likely not to change in the short term with a 5% fall in EU sheep meat production forecast for 2026.
The value of exports continues to rise, with sustained high lamb prices in the UK. The export value of sheep meat for Q1 was up by 24% YoY, to a total of £204 million.
£108 million of this was exports into France, up 15% in value compared to the 9% growth in volume into France. French demand remains firm, while deadweight lamb prices in France remain above 900p/kg.
Exports to Belgium increased by 53%, to 3,700 tonnes, while exports to Italy doubled to 1,100 tonnes.
Outside of the EU, Cote d’Ivorie was the most notable market, with Q1 exports increasing by 140%. 80% of this was offal, with the rest being frozen bone in product.
Fresh product continues to dominate, accounting for 86% of the total picture at 23,000 tonnes. Offal export volumes conti nued to increase, but remains at 8% of total export volumes for the period.
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