News from AHDB
24 Sep 2026
AHDB’s mission to showcase British farming and red meat production attracts buyers from China and the US
British farming has taken centre stage highlighting the importance of red meat exports for beef, sheep meat and pig meat levy payers. Following the first half of 2026, which saw the volume of UK beef exports to the US increase by 71% on the year and where nearly 40% of pig meat exports were shipped to China, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) recently hosted two inward missions to provide valuable insight and showcase high standards of production throughout the supply chain to importers and buyers from both countries. A delegation of 11 from China, including representatives from six importing companies, headed to the UK with a focus on the pig meat sector, gaining first-hand insight into British production standards and supply chains. The delegation also included the Vice President of The China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce & Animal By-Products (CFNA), which represents about 75% of all the country’s importers. Following the inward mission from China, four senior representatives from the US food service sector also headed to the UK to learn more about beef, sheep meat and pig meat production during a week-long visit which covered farm and processor visits. Both missions also included meetings with exporters and other industry stakeholders, as well as butchery demonstrations highlighting the versatility and quality of British meat. They formed part of AHDB’s ongoing commitment and investment to deliver a comprehensive programme of activity in both the UK and overseas on behalf of its levy payers to champion the world-class quality and reputation of British farming and food production. Following the missions, Jonathan Eckley, AHDB International Trade Development Director, and AHDB Pork Sector Director Mark Haighton attended the World Pork Conference in Qingdao, co-hosted by the International Meat Secretariat (IMS) and the China Meat Association. The visit provided the opportunity for them to continue building relationships with the Chinese meat industry. The US inward mission also followed AHDB Chair Emily Norton joining former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rt Hon Emma Reynolds MP, and other industry leaders earlier this year for the UK’s first dedicated agri-food trade mission to Washington DC. The visit coincided with the first tariff-free shipment of British beef arriving in the US as part of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal where both countries agreed to implement a reciprocal 13,000 tonne quota for beef. Jonathan said: “British livestock farming and red meat produce has a superb international reputation in terms of both quality and standards of production. This is reflected in the ongoing demand for beef, sheep meat and pig meat, which in the first half of this year saw total UK exports of red meat worth £1.1 billion, up 15% on the year, with the volume of product shipped up 8% at almost 293,000 tonnes.
“British livestock farming has a fantastic story to tell and there is no substitute for bringing buyers here to taste our produce and learn more about our production standards throughout the supply chain to help ensure our exports continue to thrive in markets around the world, including China and the US.
“The volume of UK beef exports to the US, for example, increased by 71% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2025. Nearly 40% of pig meat exports were shipped to China during this period. It demonstrates the importance for us to maximise the value of the entire carcase in a wide portfolio of markets.
“Maintaining and nurturing positive links with importers and buyers is therefore imperative in supporting our levy payers to help maximise the opportunities in specific markets. The feedback we had from delegates from both China and the US has been extremely encouraging and a positive endorsement of our red meat sector’s credentials.”
AHDB’s international trade development work will continue in earnest next month (October) at SIAL Paris – the world’s largest trade show this year – from October 17 to 21 where it will be joined by red meat export businesses on its purpose-built pavilion at the show. The event will bring together UK exporters with existing customers and the opportunity to connect with potential new ones. The wider AHDB international trade development team will also support dairy levy payers exhibiting at the event.
Jonathan added: “SIAL is this year’s go-to trade event for everyone involved in the international agri-food sector. AHDB’s investment in this activity provides us with a shop window to the world to showcase our world-class British red meat to buyers from multiple markets. It forms part of AHDB’s wider international trade development support for levy payers, which also includes work on market access.
“We will continue to work with industry and government to help ensure our exports in markets around the world continue to thrive.”
Further details about opportunities for red meat exports can be found in the AHDB analysis Prospects for agri-food exports .
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Source: press release issued by AHDB.