UK lamb imports driven by frozen product categories

The latest trade data for September highlights increases of lamb imports on the month, with total import volumes up 19.3% from 3,000 to 3,600 tonnes. When looking at year-on-year trends for September, this is exaggerated, with imports up 65%. New Zealand product volumes grew 156% when compared to September 2021 import figures, an increase of 1,600 tonnes. From a year-to-date perspective (to September) the quantity of New Zealand product imported has increased 13% compared to 2021, an increase of 3,500 tonnes.

Reviewing the imported product types, a change in seasonal trends has developed, with fresh bone-in product being significantly outperformed by frozen product categories. The frozen bone-in category accounted for 55% of the total volume (2,000 tonnes) in September with frozen boneless the next largest category, accounting for 27% of the total imported volume.

Exports of fresh and frozen lamb totalled 6,200 tonnes in September, an 8.9% (500 tonne) increase from August, but a 3% (200 tonne) decline from September 2021. The month-on-month uplift has been primarily due to increased export volumes to France, up 7.8% (200 tonne), while exports to Belgium have also seen an uplift of 13.2% (70 tonne).

Fresh carcasses and half carcasses continue to be the primary product traded with 76% (4,700 tonnes) of shipped volumes falling into this category during the month. Fresh bone-in cuts were the next highest level of product exported, making up 12% (700 tonnes) of product exported.