United Kingdom: Fresh Beef Carcase Market 2025

Fresh Beef Carcase Market Size in the UK

In 2022, the UK fresh beef carcase market decreased by -12.7% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Fresh beef carcase consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Fresh Beef Carcase Production in the UK

In value terms, fresh beef carcase production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 28% against the previous year. Fresh beef carcase production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Fresh Beef Carcase Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh beef carcase exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a noticeable slump. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Ireland (X tons) were the main destinations of fresh beef carcase exports from the UK, together comprising 87% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +22.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Ireland ($X) were the largest markets for fresh beef carcase exported from the UK worldwide, together accounting for 84% of total exports.

France, with a CAGR of +20.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average fresh beef carcase export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 44%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Poland (+2.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fresh Beef Carcase Imports

Imports into the UK

For the fifth year in a row, the UK recorded decline in overseas purchases of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal, which decreased by -13.1% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh beef carcase imports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Ireland (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of fresh beef carcase to the UK, accounting for a 86% share of total imports. Moreover, fresh beef carcase imports from Ireland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), ninefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Ireland amounted to -4.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+0.0% per year) and the Netherlands (-4.0% per year).

In value terms, Ireland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of fresh or chilled carcases of beef and veal to the UK, comprising 81% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($X), with a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Ireland amounted to -5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (+1.0% per year) and the Netherlands (-5.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average fresh beef carcase import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Ireland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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