UK export volumes of sheep meat in the first six months of 2014 have hit their highest half-year level since 1998, according to latest statistics. Global shipments totalled 48,000 tonnes in the first half of the year, an increase of almost two per cent compared to the same period in 2013.
Demand from non-EU markets has helped drive the growth, with export shipments to these markets 36 per cent ahead of 2013 levels at 10,600 tonnes. The total value of UK sheep meat exports for the period was up three per cent on the year at £183.9 million.
This is building on the strong performance of 2013 which saw UK sheep meat exports break the 100,000-tonne barrier for the first time since 1999.