AHDB data for UK beef imports in September show a decline in volumes from Ireland but a huge increase in supplies from outside the EU. Ireland remained the biggest supplier of UK beef imports in September compared with all other countries as shown in Figure 1.
However, at 12,733 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef, this was considerably down on the 15,061 tonnes supplied in September 2024.
Overall, UK beef imports in September were 20,934 tonnes, up from 18,896 tonnes in September last year. With the overall demand for beef imports higher, and volume from Ireland lower, the gap was filled by other countries primarily from outside the EU, as shown in Figure 2.
Imports from Australia and New Zealand show the most spectacular growth. In September 2024, the UK imported just 128 tonnes of beef from New Zealand but this surged to 2,117 tonnes in September this year.
It was a similar trend with Australia, who supplied 460 tonnes in September last year, jumping to 2,126 tonnes in September 2025.
Poland was the second largest EU supplier with the same volume as last September and while the volumes from Brazil and Uruguay were low, they show a dramatic increase year on year.
SHARING OPTIONS