UK red meat and dairy exports hit £2 billion (€2.3bn) in the first half of this year, helping underpin domestic prices for farmers against a backdrop of a challenging international trading climate, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Latest figures revealed the total value of UK red meat exports in the first half of this year reached £1.1 billion, up 15% on the year, with the volume of product shipped up 8% at almost 293,000 tonnes. Dairy shipments for the period stood at £973 million, down 12% on the year, with 614,000 tonnes exported, a decrease of 11% on the same period in 2025. 

International trade experts at AHDB said that maintaining a wide portfolio of markets was key to helping ensure British red meat and dairy produce continue to thrive.

Values of total beef and sheep meat exports for the period increased by 23% to £450 million and 15% to £401 million respectively on the year, largely driven by demand from European markets. Shipments of pig meat from the UK for the period also increased 5% in value on the year to £267 million.

UK dairy exports to key destinations, including Saudi Arabia, for the period increased by nearly 36% on the year at £14 million, with the volume of product shipped up 33% at 4,215 tonnes, while shipments to Asia and Oceania were worth £79 million – up 7%, with volumes up 10% at 29,103 tonnes. Trade with China was a particular highlight, with an increase in the value of shipments of 38% to £28 million, with volumes up 43% at 10,579 tonnes.

Rachael Speed, AHDB senior international trade development manager, said: “Despite a challenging first half of 2026, exports continue to play a critical role for the UK dairy sector, especially with growth to key markets like Saudi Arabia and Asia and Oceania.”

AHDB continues to deliver a comprehensive programme of international trade development activity on behalf of levy payers to support the red meat and dairy sectors, including two recent inward missions for the beef and lamb and pork sectors. Stakeholders from China and the US headed to the UK for a series of farm and processor visits to find out more about UK production.

In October AHDB will host an inward mission to the UK, welcoming dairy buyers from Asia and Mexico and immersing them in UK production systems and showcasing production standards. October will also see AHDB spearheading its biggest overseas activity of the year when it will be joined by red meat export businesses at SIAL Paris – this year’s largest international trade show – to showcase British red meat to a global audience of visitors. The wider team will also be supporting dairy export businesses at the show.