Australian red meat exports to UK surge after Free Trade Agreement

According to figures released at the recent Aussie Beef & Lamb trade event, beef exports to the UK have risen by 415% and lamb exports by 85%.

The free trade agreement, which came into force on 31 May 2023, has fostered a strong trading relationship between the two countries, which is particularly beneficial to Australia's premium red MEAT sector.

In total, Australia exported 4,144 tonnes of beef to the UK in the first year of the agreement, with chilled grain-fed beef showing a significant increase of around 167% since the free trade agreement came into force.

“Our beef and lamb are really impressive in the foodservice industry here in the UK,” said Stephen Edwards, business manager for Meat & Livestock Australia, highlighting the demand for high-quality products such as Wagyu and premium grain-fed beef.

Edwards notes that while Australia is making progress, it still faces competition from major suppliers such as Ireland, Argentina and France .

Despite growth, the UK remains a relatively small market for Australian red meat, accounting for only around 2% of Australia's total global exports.

Most Australian red meat still goes to larger markets such as the United States , Japan and the Middle East , with exports to North America reaching around 269,000 tonnes per year.