The drop in beef production across the EU and UK this year has created an opening for the world’s major exporters to increase their share of these lucrative markets.
All of the big South American beef exporters (Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay) have increased the volume sent to the EU up to the end of August this year.
Between them, they account for 157,000t out of the 283,000t total beef imported, with just over 82,000t coming from the UK and the remaining 44,000t from a range of smaller suppliers including New Zealand, which has a reduced tariff quota for beef.
EU beef imports for the first eight months of this year are running just over 33,000t ahead of last year.
The UK import pattern has similarities, but one major difference. Overall volume imported up to the end of September this year is 179,456t, up from 176,766t in the same period last year, a 1.5% increase, according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) data.
While there is a marginal increase in import volumes, what is particularly striking is that the source of imports has changed significantly this year.
Ireland top supplier but lower share
Ireland remains the top supplier of UK beef imports by a considerable distance, but the volume in the first three quarters of this year has fallen by almost 9% to 123,468t of fresh and frozen beef compared with the same period last year.
This drop in Irish supply hasn’t been picked up by other EU countries, which traditionally have filled most of the rest of UK beef imports, with Netherlands and Poland the main suppliers. Until now, this hasn’t changed, as the EU-UK Brexit trade deal provided for unlimited tariff-free trade on all goods.
However, if we look at the most recent monthly data, we can see a significant change occurring to where the UK is importing its beef from when we compare it with September 2024.
As Figure 1 shows, Ireland continues as the largest supplier but its share of total UK beef imports is well down.
What is also interesting when we look at Figure 2, it isn’t other EU countries that have increased their share, the extra imports have come from outside the EU.
What is also notable is that while UK beef imports from Brazil and Uruguay have increased, the increase from Australia and New Zealand is at a much greater level.
This is a contrast with the increased EU beef imports, which have predominantly come from South America, though there is a small increase in supplies from New Zealand.
The reason why Australia and New Zealand’s share of UK beef imports has increased so much is because they have a zero-tariff beef quota as a result of the post-Brexit trade deal both countries have with the UK.
As a result, their beef more competitive that the South American product in the UK market because it is subject to the full UK tariff.
Comment – real competition has arrived for Irish beef exports
With Irish cattle supplies and beef production running below last year, there has been less product available for export.
Total Irish beef exports up to the end of August were down 2.2% to 316,054t compared with the same period last year, according to Bord Bia data.
It also shows a higher level of decline in exports to the UK, with volume down 3.8% to 146,028t, which means that the UK remains the biggest export market for Irish beef by a distance, but not quite as big as it was the year before.
However, the change is well within the normal margins of trade fluctuation, as some markets are more lucrative than others and small shifts in trade patterns are ongoing.
What is really striking is the change in the most recent monthly data. The overall volume of Irish beef exported in August was 30,655t, almost 8,000t less than in August last year.
Data for September isn’t available yet, but it is reasonable to conclude that the volume of beef exported will be much lower than September last year.
Returning to the AHDB data on UK beef imports, it is striking to compare the Irish share in September 2025 with September 2024.
In September 2024, 75% or three out of every four kilogrammes of beef imported by the UK came from Ireland. In September 2025, this has fallen to six kilogrammes out of every 10.
No doubt the drop in Irish supplies have created a gap in the UK import market and as a result of UK post-Brexit trade policy, this is being filled by Australia and New Zealand in the first instance.
The drop in beef production across the EU and UK this year has created an opening for the world’s major exporters to increase their share of these lucrative markets.
All of the big South American beef exporters (Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay) have increased the volume sent to the EU up to the end of August this year.
Between them, they account for 157,000t out of the 283,000t total beef imported, with just over 82,000t coming from the UK and the remaining 44,000t from a range of smaller suppliers including New Zealand, which has a reduced tariff quota for beef.
EU beef imports for the first eight months of this year are running just over 33,000t ahead of last year.
The UK import pattern has similarities, but one major difference. Overall volume imported up to the end of September this year is 179,456t, up from 176,766t in the same period last year, a 1.5% increase, according to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) data.
While there is a marginal increase in import volumes, what is particularly striking is that the source of imports has changed significantly this year.
Ireland top supplier but lower share
Ireland remains the top supplier of UK beef imports by a considerable distance, but the volume in the first three quarters of this year has fallen by almost 9% to 123,468t of fresh and frozen beef compared with the same period last year.
This drop in Irish supply hasn’t been picked up by other EU countries, which traditionally have filled most of the rest of UK beef imports, with Netherlands and Poland the main suppliers. Until now, this hasn’t changed, as the EU-UK Brexit trade deal provided for unlimited tariff-free trade on all goods.
However, if we look at the most recent monthly data, we can see a significant change occurring to where the UK is importing its beef from when we compare it with September 2024.
As Figure 1 shows, Ireland continues as the largest supplier but its share of total UK beef imports is well down.
What is also interesting when we look at Figure 2, it isn’t other EU countries that have increased their share, the extra imports have come from outside the EU.
What is also notable is that while UK beef imports from Brazil and Uruguay have increased, the increase from Australia and New Zealand is at a much greater level.
This is a contrast with the increased EU beef imports, which have predominantly come from South America, though there is a small increase in supplies from New Zealand.
The reason why Australia and New Zealand’s share of UK beef imports has increased so much is because they have a zero-tariff beef quota as a result of the post-Brexit trade deal both countries have with the UK.
As a result, their beef more competitive that the South American product in the UK market because it is subject to the full UK tariff.
Comment – real competition has arrived for Irish beef exports
With Irish cattle supplies and beef production running below last year, there has been less product available for export.
Total Irish beef exports up to the end of August were down 2.2% to 316,054t compared with the same period last year, according to Bord Bia data.
It also shows a higher level of decline in exports to the UK, with volume down 3.8% to 146,028t, which means that the UK remains the biggest export market for Irish beef by a distance, but not quite as big as it was the year before.
However, the change is well within the normal margins of trade fluctuation, as some markets are more lucrative than others and small shifts in trade patterns are ongoing.
What is really striking is the change in the most recent monthly data. The overall volume of Irish beef exported in August was 30,655t, almost 8,000t less than in August last year.
Data for September isn’t available yet, but it is reasonable to conclude that the volume of beef exported will be much lower than September last year.
Returning to the AHDB data on UK beef imports, it is striking to compare the Irish share in September 2025 with September 2024.
In September 2024, 75% or three out of every four kilogrammes of beef imported by the UK came from Ireland. In September 2025, this has fallen to six kilogrammes out of every 10.
No doubt the drop in Irish supplies have created a gap in the UK import market and as a result of UK post-Brexit trade policy, this is being filled by Australia and New Zealand in the first instance.
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