UK Red meat and dairy exports hit £2 billion
By Robert Blair, Partner and ARA specialist
It has been a challenging 2025 for farmers, but there was some good news as figures confirmed that in the first half of the year, exports of UK red meat and dairy products rose to £2 billion.
Red meat exports in the period between January and June were valued at £966 million, an increase of almost ten per cent based on the first six months of 2024.
Dairy exports surpassed £1.1 billion, a 20 per cent increase. The increased figures are promising for farmers in what has been a difficult year for various reasons, including the extreme weather and quality of crops.
Are the latest figures a positive sign of change?
The latest figures coincide with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) showcasing the very best in British red meat and dairy products at this year’s Anuga food and beverage trade show event.
Speaking about the export figures, AHDB’s international trade development director Jonathan Eckley said: “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.”
It is a positive step for British farmers who have played their part in the increased number of exports of red meat and dairy products.
With demand increasing, the possibilities of greater revenue and profits are there for farmers who will be looking at ways to boost their business.
A challenging year overall for farmers
2025 has presented a multitude of challenges for farmers, none more so than the extremely dry weather. Record temperatures and lack of rainfall have increased pressure on crops as England recorded its second-worst harvest according to DEFRA.
It was officially the driest spring on record, combined with the warm summer had a detrimental impact on grass and crops, which was always going to impact a farm’s finances.
This year’s cereal harvest has come to an end and it had some erratic readings.
Some crops exceeded some expectations despite the challenging conditions, but much of that benefit was quickly lost because of falling grain prices.
A culmination of the extreme weather and weaker markets has left many farmers assessing their finances and contemplating how to improve their figures moving forward.
How can farmers assess the financial impact?
The increase in export figures is great news for the agricultural sector, but many farms are still dealing with the realities of a challenging year.
As the seasons change, many farmers will be preparing for the winter months and assessing their plans for 2026 to see if they have the financial scope.
Our team of experts can help you assess your finances and crunch the numbers to help you budget, plan and execute any strategies. Providing tailored and honest advice, we can help you build a picture of your farm’s finances.
Speak to our team today for expert financial advice and support.