Red meat buyers from around the world headed to the UK this week in a visit hosted by AHDB in a bid to promote British produce.
Following the recent launch of AHDB’s export strategy Beyond Borders, aimed at increasing export sales and supporting companies to export, buyers from Asia, the Middle East and North America were welcomed to the UK to meet farmers.
Markets including Qatar, Kuwait, Philippines, the UAE, Canada, the US and Mexico took part in the trip which included visits to farms and processors to learn more about sustainable production in the UK. The guests also met farmers at the Great Yorkshire Show on July 12, and took part in a business match making event where they could network with UK meat export companies.
UK red meat exports reached their highest ever levels at £1.7 billion and global meat consumption is expected to grow by 1.8% from 2023 to 2024.
Head of international trade development, Jonathan Eckley, said: “Exports is a key pillar in AHDB activity and we have listened to our levy payers telling us how much they value our export development work. This successful inward trade mission will help develop important relationships with buyers in key markets. There is a growing global appetite for our high-quality produce, and now is the time to help maximise the opportunities for UK beef, lamb and pork.
“It was our pleasure to welcome our international visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show where they had the chance to find out directly from producers themselves about our high-welfare, environmentally sustainable, traceable food production in the UK, enhancing their knowledge and the reputation of our agri-food products in overseas markets.”
Export opportunities for UK producers is detailed further in AHDB’s region-by-region analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports, launched earlier this year, examining both the opportunities and challenges of trading in different parts of the world.