British red meat exports reached £1.1 billion in the first half of 2026, with the United States and China providing a major boost to overseas sales.
Export values rose 15% year on year, while volumes increased 8% to almost 293,000 tonnes. Beef shipments to the US were up 71%, while China accounted for nearly 40% of British pig meat exports.
Overseas buyers get a closer look
The figures came as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) hosted buying delegations from both markets. An 11-strong Chinese group, including representatives from six importing companies, visited farms, processors and other parts of the pig meat supply chain.
Four senior US food service representatives then spent a week exploring beef, sheep meat and pig meat production. The programmes included visits to farms and processors, along with butchery demonstrations and meetings with exporters.
The rise in US beef exports follows the first tariff-free shipment under the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. The agreement includes a reciprocal 13,000-tonne beef quota.
AHDB said direct contact with overseas buyers remained important for building trade relationships and demonstrating British production standards. It also highlighted the need to make the most of every part of the carcase across a range of international markets.
Why it matters for Britain
Stronger export demand gives UK livestock producers and meat businesses more opportunities to sell into valuable overseas markets. The trade also supports the farms, processors and supply chains involved in producing and exporting British red meat.
