‘Remarkable success’: UK dairy and red meat exports hit over £4 billion
23rd February 2026
Exports of dairy and red meat from the UK exceeded £4 billion last year, with record values set for both sectors as the global demand for world-class British produce continues to rise.
Latest figures from HMRC revealed the total value of UK dairy exports in 2025 was £2.2 billion, marking a 16.6% increase from 2024. UK red meat exports, including offal, reached £2 billion – an increase of 12% on 2024.
The importance of the EU was highlighted, with shipments to markets in the trade bloc accounting for 73.9% of the total value of UK dairy exports and 81% of red meat exports, AHDB confirms.
The latest figures followed a busy year for the AHDB International Trade Development Team, which delivered a comprehensive programme of activity in 2025 to promote exports of British dairy and red meat.
Work included taking part in major international trade shows, with a strong dairy and red meat presence at ANUGA, the largest global food event, in Cologne in October.
AHDB also hosted its biggest ever red meat mission into the UK, which saw a 28-strong delegation from across the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Middle East taking part in a four-day visit.
An inward mission was also organised for EU meat buyers, providing the opportunity for 12 delegates from France, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands to find out more about quality British beef and lamb.
The dairy sector team, supported by its in-market overseas representatives, delivered 28 events from San Diego to Singapore in 2025, including seven retail promotions and eight marketing events, marking their busiest year to date.
‘We look forward to continuing this momentum in 2026’
Jonathan Eckley, AHDB international trade development director, said: “The latest full-year figures for 2025 are a remarkable success story, underlining demand for our world-class dairy and red meat produce in a wide portfolio of markets.
“Underpinning our work is the consumer and market insight from our Market Intelligence team, helping us shape and deliver a programme of promotional activity on the ground to support our export businesses. This will continue to play a key role as we look to build on the achievement of 2025.”
Lucy Randolph, AHDB head of International Trade Development (Dairy), said that the increase in export values is “especially validating”.
“We look forward to continuing this momentum in 2026 with our largest ever presence at Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) in Singapore in April and driving demand for British dairy from parlours in the UK to plates overseas.
“Exports are critical to the UK dairy industry by providing a long-term outlet for surplus production. They play a huge role in helping to strengthen demand, build price resilience and support long‑term profitability. Every extra tonne of cheese, yogurt or other dairy product sold overseas helps balance supply at home.”
In addition to FHA in Singapore, 2026 will also see AHDB flying the flag for British red meat at the Annual Meat Conference (AMC) in Maryland, USA, and in Japan in March.
The AHDB Red Meat Export Conference is also due to return in June, and the year will culminate with AHDB taking part in SIAL, Paris, in October – this year’s largest trade show.
Mr Eckley added: “International trade development is one of the cornerstones of AHDB’s activity, and the success of 2025 illustrates just how important export trade is for our levy payers.
“Central to this is the importance of connecting with people in the industry, and AHDB remains committed to continuing to invest in supporting our red meat and dairy export businesses to help deliver further success.”
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