United Kingdom: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in the UK

The UK beef market was estimated at $X in 2021, growing by 2.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 8.7%. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Beef Production in the UK

In value terms, beef production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 8.2%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of beef (cattle meat) in the UK totaled X kg per head in 2021, approximately equating 2020. Over the period under review, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the yield increased by 2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average beef yield attained the peak level at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield remained at a lower figure.

The number of animals slaughtered for beef production in the UK declined to X heads in 2021, with a decrease of -5.4% on the previous year. In general, the number of producing animals continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 4.9% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2020, and then dropped in the following year.

Beef Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -12.2% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, exports continue to indicate a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 11%. The exports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ireland (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of beef exports from the UK, with a combined 62% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Hong Kong SAR, the Philippines, Belgium, South Africa, Italy, Japan, Sweden, Iran, Senegal and Germany, which together accounted for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +182.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for beef exported from the UK were Ireland ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Hong Kong SAR, Italy, the Philippines, Germany, Belgium, Japan, Iran, Sweden, South Africa and Senegal, which together accounted for a further 23%.

Japan, with a CAGR of +140.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average beef export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Senegal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines (+22.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into the UK

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of beef (cattle meat) increased by 1.3% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 5.7%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, beef imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Ireland (X tons) constituted the largest beef supplier to the UK, accounting for a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, beef imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Ireland amounted to +2.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+9.9% per year) and the Netherlands (-2.9% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of beef (cattle meat) to the UK, comprising 78% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 6.1% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 5.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Ireland stood at +3.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+9.6% per year) and the Netherlands (-1.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were Ireland ($X per ton) and Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+1.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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