Despite a weak currency in 2017, tight supply meant that exports of beef from the UK were actually down.

Meanwhile, the volume of beef imports increased, according to figures from the Agricultural Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

A total 249,000 tonnes of fresh and frozen beef came into the UK in the first 11 months, which is 5% more than 2016.

Irish beef made up 70% of imports, with a 6% rise in volume on the year. Poland rose a massive 38% on the year, to over 18,000t.

Much of the increased Polish beef is going into the food service sector, with an increasing popularity of burgers. Exports were down 3% on the year, with beef to Ireland and the Netherlands falling by 5% and 12%.

Total UK beef and veal production for 2017 was 901,600t, an increase of 0.2% on 2016 production.

However, figures from Quality Meat Scotland show that Scotland’s exports of beef increased in volume by 3.4% in the year ending August 2017.

The biggest increase in export trade of beef from Scotland was to Germany and the Nordics, which have increased by 53% and 46% respectively.