England’s red meat industry is contributing US$7.42 billion to the UK economy – AHDB

UK – A new analysis by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) shows that England’s red meat sector contributed about US$7.42 billion in labour income to the UK economy in 2023.

The report estimates that the industry generated total output worth US$27.68 billion last year while supporting the equivalent of 120,000 full-time jobs.

Alongside its financial impact, the AHDB said the sector influences other areas of national life, including rural employment, landscape management, and biodiversity.

AHDB lead analyst for red meat Hannah Clarke said the industry extends beyond producing beef, lamb, and pork, describing it as an important part of rural livelihoods and wider environmental responsibilities.

The supply chain impact is also visible in linked industries such as transport, retail, foodservice, and veterinary work, which depend on activity in the sector.

According to the AHDB, long-term prospects depend on balancing production efficiency with sustainability goals and consumer engagement.

Rising retail beef prices

The findings were released a few weeks after the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) reported that UK supermarket beef prices climbed by 3.2 percent in June 2025.

AIMS figures showed that the average retail price of red meat and chicken rose by 1.8 percent compared with May, with lean beef mince recording the steepest rise at 9.15 percent, equal to an increase of US$1.06 per kilogram.

Standard beef mince went up by 4.6 percent, or about US$0.36 per kilogram, while both sirloin and fillet steaks saw increases of more than US$1.30 per kilogram.

The AHDB attributed the retail price changes to a fall in beef production, which dropped to 70,000 tonnes in June, down 8 percent from the previous month and 5 percent below June 2024.

Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that monthly beef production has remained lower than 2024 levels for the whole of 2025 so far.

For the first six months of this year, total beef output reached 445,000 tonnes, which was 4 percent lower than in the same period of 2024.

The decline has been linked to fewer prime cattle reaching slaughter, with numbers in June down by 15,000 head compared with May, an 8 percent reduction that signals a continued tightening of supply.

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