Tariff-free British beef hits US shelves

The department explained that the trade mission is set to build on a milestone of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, where both countries agreed to implement a reciprocal 13,000-tonne quota for beef.  

A spokesperson for DEFRA said: “The quota is a major growth opportunity for British farmers, worth up to £70 million a year if fully utilised.  

“Thanks to the deal, the first-ever tariff-free shipment of UK beef under the quota has now arrived in the US from Northern Ireland’s biggest red meat exporter, Foyle Food Group, which employs 1,150 people in the UK. Valued at more than £190,000, the agreement will see nearly £50,000 in tariff relief to this landmark shipment alone – easing costs for businesses and supporting growth back home.” 

The UK’s food and drink exports were worth over £25 billion globally last year, £2 billion of which went to the US, with considerable potential to grow the UK’s global trade. 

British food’s reputation for high quality and standards

Environment secretary Emma Reynolds said: “The UK produces the finest food and drink, and I’m proud to champion our world-leading farmers, producers and exporters on the global stage. 

“I am leading the first-ever dedicated agri-food trade mission to the US to pursue opportunities to grow our trade with the largest consumer market in the world. 

“The first agri-trade mission will seize on British food’s reputation for highquality and standards, taking the very best of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector directly to America’s buyers, businesses and decision-makers. In a market of more than 300 million people, the visit will turn international prestige into real commercial opportunity for UK farmers and food producers.” 

The DEFRA secretary will be joined by key UK industry figures on her mission, including representatives from the NFU, the AHDB, Foyle Food Group, the International Meat Trade Association and the Scotch Whisky Association. 

She will attend the US Annual Meat Conference to support five of the UK’s largest meat exporters and discuss opportunities for growing the US market, flying the flag for UK meat among American buyers. 

Reynolds MP will then host a major Food and Drink Showcase reception at the Ambassador’s Residence, bringing together UK exporters and buyers to sample premium beef alongside other world-class British products such as cheese, seafood, spirits and English sparkling wine. 

Delegates from the Scotch Whisky Association will have an opportunity to get their products in front of US buyers, championing one of the UK’s most iconic spirits in a market with strong consumer demand. 

READ MORE: Emma Reynolds announces £345m boost for farm innovations and reveals new SFI offer

‘It’s delivering real results’

Business and Trade secretary Peter Kyle added: “For the first time, UK beef farmers have exclusive access to a market of over 300 million people, and that is a direct result of the deal we struck with the US last year. 

“This isn’t just symbolic — it’s delivering real results. British beef is world-class, and American consumers deserve access to it. I look forward to seeing more of our farmers seize this opportunity and grow their businesses on the international stage.” 

This agreement provides tariff-free access to the world’s largest beef market. For Foyle Food Group, it means we can now offer British beef to a wide range of customers across the United States. Securing this dedicated UK quota for the first time also allows us to build longer-term business relationships and provide a more consistent and reliable supply into the US market. 

The trade mission also kickstarts the government’s ambition to act on Baroness Batters’ Farming Profitability Review, which identified expanding export opportunities as essential to supporting farm businesses to improve profitability and driving economic growth across every part of the United Kingdom, DEFRA confirmed. 

READ MORE: ‘Remarkable success’: UK dairy and red meat exports hit over £4 billion

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