Export success for beef cuts and offal

Beef cuts accounted for 86 per cent (86,000 tonnes) of exports last year, compared to 75 per cent (84,448) in 2014. It underlines AHDB Beef Lamb’s strategy to move away from exporting carcases to higher priced cuts, adding value to the carcase and maximising returns throughout the supply chain.

Full year export figures revealed that exports of beef offal last year were up 8.1 per cent in volume on 2014, with a 26 per cent increase to non-EU markets.

The figures stood out as highlights in 2015 where UK beef exports as a whole were back 11 per cent on the year at 100,400 tonnes, despite the marginal increase in production. Shipments of sheep meat offal were up 36 per cent with a near threefold increase to non-EU markets and further improvements were also seen in sales of cuts and pre-packed lamb.

Jean-Pierre Garnier, export manager for AHDB Beef Lamb, said: “It’s encouraging to see the strong performance of cuts and offal in what was undoubtedly a challenging year for exports of beef and lamb.

“Our long-term strategy of moving towards adding value to the sector with a focus on the export of cuts rather than carcases is bearing fruit, as is our commitment to cultivating markets for offals which have limited value and appeal domestically.”

In 2012 AHDB Beef Lamb coordinated a trade mission to South Africa. Last year, beef offal volumes to that market were up significantly. A mission to the Ivory Coast took place in 2013, with similar results.

Jean-Pierre added: “The examples of both South Africa and the Ivory Coast clearly demonstrate the success of our approach in adding value to the beef and lamb sector. Our ambition is to continue building on these successes and to continue to add value to the sector through our export development world as we move forwards in 2016 and beyond.”