Published data on UK beef imports and exports continues to show how the foothold of Republic of Ireland (ROI) beef in the UK market is gradually being eaten into by Australian, New Zealand and Brazilian product.

In January 2026 fresh and frozen beef imports totalled 19,802t, up 6.7% on the 18,562t from the same month in 2025.

ROI remains the largest beef importer into the UK, but its share of the market is down from 76% in January 2025 to just 64% this year. Total Irish imports in January 2026 dropped 10.2% to 12,639t.

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Among other EU countries, Poland has next largest share of the UK market, but imports from the country were down 42% to 864t in January 2026.

The big winners are non-EU countries, with beef imports from outside Europe up 204% in January 2026 to 5,727t.

Post-Brexit trade deals with Australia and New Zealand have helped both countries make significant gains. New Zealand is the largest non-EU beef exporter to the UK, with 2.054t of product delivered in January 2026, up 355% on the same month in 2025. Beef imports from Australia were up 140% at 1,464t, while Brazilian imports rose 233% to 1,621t.

UK exports

The UK is a net importer of fresh and frozen beef, with its exports in January 2026 standing at 9,265t of which 8,147t is to the EU and principally, ROI, France and the Netherlands.

Sheepmeat

In January 2026 the UK imported 4,548t of sheepmeat, with 90% of this coming from non-EU countries. Traditionally New Zealand has dominated this trade, but its market share is coming under pressure from Australian product. New Zealand sheepmeat imports in January 2026 were down 2.6% at 2,273t, but imports from Australia were up 61% at 1,771t.

However, the UK exports more sheepmeat than it imports. In January 2026, exports were up 9% to 7,383t, with the main market destinations being France, Germany and Belgium.