Thursday 4th June 2026 saw a very successful British Red Meat Export Conference bringing together around 150 industry representatives at Butchers Hall, London. Staged by AHDB (Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board), the event showcased the growing export success of British Red Meat (beef, lamb and pork) whose exports reached a record value of £2 Billion in 2025.
A combination of thought-provoking themes and excellent speakers reported on the global economic outlook, export successes and market access topics including a session on the UK’s future SPS (Sanitary & Phytosanitary) alignment with the EU aimed at reducing checks and facilitating trade with the EU 27 countries.
Following a broadcast opening address from Dame Angela Eagle, Minister of State for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), AHDB Chair Emily Norton said the £2 Billion export sales reflected the global reputation of British Red Meat and its defining characteristics of quality and standards. “When barriers are removed, opportunities are unlocked,” she said referring also to the new tariff-free access to the USA for 14,000 metric tons of British beef.
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB’s International Trade Director, highlighted the ‘Quality Meat from Britain’ and ‘Let’s Eat Balanced’ campaigns – targeting the overseas and domestic consumer respectively – that have realised in excess of £10 for every £1 spent. “The British Red Meat sector has a compelling story to tell in terms of quality and innovation,” he said.
AHDB priorities for 2026 are:
- Strengthen market access
- Collaborate further with industry stakeholders and government
- Promote the British Red Meat story around quality, standards and provenance
Hannah Clark, Lead Analyst (Red Meat) for AHDB, told the audience there was a long-term global growing demand for red meat and protein. In terms of beef, whilst the UK exports around 15% of what it produces, there was a strong emphasis on the fifth quarter and carcase balance.
Despite the UK beef herd contracting by around 1%, higher carcase weights had offset this meaning production for the first quarter of 2026 for beef (including offal) had increased by +1%. The UK retail sector had contracted by -6% as consumers switched to ‘cheaper’ sources of protein whilst imports were up +4% and exports up +8% (Figures Q1 2026 YoY UK Beef).
We next heard from Gareth Renowden (Head of International Marketing, AHDB) and Lucille Brillaud (AHDB Manager for France) about the ‘Quality Meat from Britain’ campaign and how it focused on taste and quality with strong messaging on quality and standards for a premium positioning. In France, we learnt of the two-pronged B2B focus working with retailers, chefs and butchers at shows, in-store and within training events – focusing on food safety, quality and consistency of product.
An important focus of the conference was placed on Market Access when hearing what was being done to promote British Red Meat in markets such as the Americas, Middle East and Africa including the 12-strong CPTPP (Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership) comprising countries like Canada, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Costa Rica, UK with others like Uruguay, Indonesia and Philippines potentially joining. In terms of trade, it was pleasing to see first-hand the clear ongoing co-operation between the EU and Defra (represented by Annette Kliemann and Lou Leighton-McTague respectively) to bring about the mutually-beneficial SPS alignment between the EU and UK – expected to come into force mid-2027.
Thanks to the insight given by Will Surman, Agri Attache at the British Embassy in Washington DC and Kent Bacus, Executive Director, Government Affairs for the USA Beef Association, there was great optimism for the reciprocal deal for a tariff-free movement of beef at the volume of 17,000MT especially when hearing that previously the UK would have been subject to ‘Other Country’ quotas which we heard were already fulfilled just six days into the year ie by 6th January! Potential for ongoing UK exports were strong given the US consumer’s rising demand for grass-fed, traceable, high-welfare beef.
Concluding, Chair Emily Norton, said that the prospects for UK Red Meat exports were strong and she praised the ongoing collaboration and blossoming relationships between partners and stakeholders at home and abroad.
