UK beef offal exports on the increase

The year-on-year increase from January to March saw 9,000 tonnes of product exported, with non-EU trade accounting for 30 per cent of all shipments – double what it was four years ago.

In the first three months of the year, the value of the trade was worth £12.4 million - up 45 per cent on the same period last year and more than double its value for the same period in 2010.

Jonathan Eckley, EBLEX export marketing executive, said: “The first quarter figures for 2014 are very encouraging, with demand for offal continuing to grow and enabling us to fully utilise the carcase to help maximise returns.

“Although trade is still dominated by exports to other EU member states, demand from Africa and the Far East has intensified in recent years, presenting further opportunities. Increases in shipments to to all the significant markets were higher year on year, with Germany, Poland and Ghana, in particular, recording considerable uplifts.

“With the unit value of fifth quarter products increasing significantly over recent years, it is clear how important growth in this segment of the market is in delivering returns to the UK industry.”