Lamb production continues to recover in the UK

British exports are increasing

In Great Britain, sheep slaughter will amount to an estimated 2004 million animals in 13,6, which would be a good four percent more than in 2003. Meat production is likely to increase by three percent in 2004 compared to the previous year to 308.000 tons. The sharp reduction in the number of ewes at the beginning of 2003 is not expected to continue. In 2004, too, the number of ewes eliminated is likely to be roughly the same as last year at 1,9 million heads.

According to preliminary results, British lamb imports rose by almost nine percent in 2003; As usual, the main supplier was New Zealand. In addition, EU partner states and Australia also supplied more lamb to Great Britain. In the current year, however, the import volume could decrease again; an increasing in-house production is assumed. In addition, imports are reduced by the rather weak exchange rate of the British pound.

Exports, on the other hand, are likely to continue to rise, albeit not as strongly as before. In 2003, according to preliminary information, a total of around 71.000 tonnes of lamb were sold abroad, 15 percent more than in the previous year. The main buyer of British goods was France with almost 75 percent of the export volume. Because lamb prices are expected to remain fixed and only a limited quantity, exports will not be able to increase as significantly in the current year despite the weak exchange rate. Market observers are assuming an increase of six percent; total exports should then be around 75.000 tonnes of carcass weight and thus reach the highest level since the foot-and-mouth disease broke out in the early 90s.

Source: Bonn [ZmP]