13 March 2013

2 minute read

Europe

This is according to statistics from the Agriculture Statistics Bureau for France (Agreste), which saw a lift in domestic beef retail prices to a €13.59/kg average. 

In 2012, French meat exports fell by 15 per cent relative to the high levels of 2011 with 95 per cent going to destinations in the EU, compared to 89 per cent in 2011. Key destinations for French beef remained Italy (41 per cent), Greece (27 per cent) and Germany (16 per cent), writes Peter Duggan, Bord Bia-Irish Food Board.

Imports on the other hand increased marginally. Despite lower volumes Germany and the Netherlands remain the two main suppliers. There was however, a notable increase in volumes from Denmark (x3) and Spain (23 per cent) for fresh meat, with frozen volumes from Italy and Poland up 26 per cent and 250 per cent respectively.

Trade with international markets remained relatively stable with the virtual ceasing of meat exports to Turkey partially compensated for by an increase in live exports. Volumes of fresh meat to Morocco declined significantly as did frozen volumes to Russia.

Sheepmeat consumption fell by 3 per cent in 2012 as domestic production dropped by 4 per cent and import volumes recorded a fall of 3 per cent. Some 80 per cent of imports (87,600 tonnes) came from the EU.

The UK remained the number one sheepmeat supplier with a 43 per cent market share, down five points from 2011. Ireland moved back into second position with an import share of 19 per cent, up three points.

In contrast, imports from New Zealand fell by 19 per cent in 2012 and by 38 per cent compared to the previous five year average. Spain gained two points to reach 9.5 per cent. The average retail sales price was €13.24, which represented a rise of 2.3 per cent.