UK lamb exports climb in Q1 as demand strengthens across Europe
Lamb imports from New Zealand declined while shipments from Australia continued to rise.
UK – UK sheep meat exports recorded solid growth during the first quarter of 2026 as higher demand from European markets, particularly France and Germany, lifted overseas shipments, while imports from New Zealand declined amid tightening supplies, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Total UK sheep meat exports reached 26,800 tonnes between January and March, representing a 19% increase compared with the same period in 2025, while export earnings rose 24% year on year to £204 million (US$279.9 million).
Shipments to European Union member states increased 18%, with continued supply shortages across the bloc supporting demand for UK lamb, as EU sheep meat production is forecast to decline by 5% during 2026.
Exports to France rose 9% by volume, generating £108 million (US$147.8 million), a 15% increase in value compared with the same period last year, as demand remained firm and French deadweight lamb prices continued to exceed 900 pence per kilogram.
Germany also increased purchases of UK sheep meat, with export volumes climbing 35%, while shipments to Belgium rose 53% to 3,700 tonnes and exports to Italy doubled to 1,100 tonnes.
Outside the European Union, Côte d’Ivoire recorded the fastest growth among export destinations, with shipments increasing 140%, of which approximately 80% consisted of offal and the remainder frozen bone-in cuts.
Fresh sheep meat remained the largest export category during the quarter, accounting for 23,000 tonnes or 86% of total shipments, while offal exports also increased and represented 8% of export volumes.
New Zealand shipments decline as import values increase
UK sheep meat imports remained largely unchanged during the first quarter, increasing just 0.6% year on year to 19,200 tonnes across fresh, frozen, processed and offal products.
Despite stable import volumes, the value of imported sheep meat increased 23% to £126.5 million (US$173.7 million), reflecting continued strength in global sheep meat prices.
New Zealand remained the UK’s largest overseas supplier with shipments of 11,000 tonnes, although volumes declined 9% from a year earlier as the country’s sheep flock continued to contract and exporters expanded sales into alternative markets.
Australian exports to the UK increased 32% to 5,600 tonnes during the quarter, with AHDB indicating that volumes are expected to continue growing under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement as domestic UK supplies tighten and the country remains an attractive high-value market.
Imports from the EU27 increased 2% to 2,400 tonnes, driven mainly by Ireland, whose shipments rose 4% to 2,100 tonnes.
Frozen sheep meat continued to account for the majority of imports, rising 5% to 15,000 tonnes, led by frozen legs, boneless cuts and bone-in products, while fresh sheep meat imports fell 16% to 2,200 tonnes, offal declined 12% to 1,700 tonnes, and processed sheep meat increased 9% to 200 tonnes.
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