Anuga showcase highlights British dairy and meat abroad

Dairy and red meat has taken centre stage at the world’s biggest food and drink showcase after UK exports hit a combined value of £2 billion (€2.3bn) in the first half of 2025.

In the first half of this year, the value of UK dairy exports increased 20% on the year to £1.1bn (€1.27bn), while UK red meat exports were worth £966m (€1.1bn) – up nearly 10% on the same period in 2024.  

The UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and export businesses from the dairy and red meat sectors have been flying the flag for dairy, beef, lamb and pork on the global stage at Anuga in Cologne to build on the success achieved from January to June.

Anuga is this year’s largest food and beverage trade show, providing a platform for businesses to network and to gain insights into global industry developments. AHDB has been supporting 13 dairy export businesses to connect with existing buyers along with 14 red meat firms at the event and meet new potential customers to help ensure UK beef, lamb, pork and dairy continue to thrive on the global stage.

More than 250 delegates were also due to join AHDB for its British Red Meat Dinner on the evening of 6 October. The annual dinner coincides with Anuga, providing guests with the chance to sample dishes featuring UK dairy and red meat.

Jonathan Eckley, AHDB international trade development director, said: “Anuga provides the stage for us to shine the spotlight on our quality beef, lamb, pork and dairy produce to a global audience and build on the success of 2024 and the first half of 2025.”

“Our export trade plays a major role in supporting our levy payers. Central to driving continued export success and adding value is connecting with people and ensuring we have a broad portfolio of markets and maximise opportunities for our products around the world.

“Supporting our export businesses at major events like Anuga is a critical part of our strategic approach to helping drive UK exports, underpinned by consumer and market insight from our market intelligence team. Our red meat pavilion has been incredibly busy, generating an enormous amount of positive feedback from visitors which is very encouraging.”

Lucy Randolph, AHDB head of international trade development for the dairy sector, said, “We were delighted to support our dairy export businesses at Anuga as part of our increased investment in delivering a new and enhanced programme of activity for the sector. Like our red meat sectors, the dairy pavilion has been bustling with activity with visitors eager to learn more about our world-class dairy produce.

“AHDB’s aim is to unlock the success of British agriculture and help ensure our world-class dairy produce thrives on the global stage. Our presence at Anuga follows a packed programme of activity in the first half of 2025 which saw the dairy sector team supporting a total of 36 UK companies at 14 events across the world. Our enhanced programme of activity will continue for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, working towards maximising global export opportunities for quality British dairy produce.”

Eckley added, “The value of red meat and dairy exports demonstrates the effectiveness of the collaborative approach between AHDB, industry and government to international trade development. We will continue our work to cement the UK’s reputation as supplier of high-quality red meat, variety meat and dairy produce in the global market.”

Further details about export opportunities for British red meat and dairy can be found in the AHDB analysis Prospects for UK agri-food exports.