First shipment of British beef enters US market after 24 years

UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has announced that the first shipment of British beef from the UK has arrived in the US.

The shipment is the first after more than two-decade ban imposed by the US Government in 1996 following the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) outbreak.

In March, US authorities agreed on the equivalence of standards on the UK’s disease control measures and allowed beef exports from the UK into the country.

The deal was allegedly worth approximately £66m over the next five years.

AHDB noted that the first shipment was exported from a plant in Northern Ireland, which included a select number of cuts, including sirloin cannon and topside mini beef joints.

The Board added that the beef cuts exported to the US will be showcased at British Roast beef’ launch, to grab the attention of influencers and buyers from the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

AHDB explained that its research suggested American consumers have limited exposure or awareness about British produce, and the events such as ‘British Roast beef’ is expected to boost the profile of British beef.

In a statement, AHDB said: “From a UK perspective, the US has been a relatively untapped market in terms of food exports. The UK has previously only had market access for pork and dairy products. The market access gained for beef products provides a valuable opportunity for British beef.”

Last October, the Chinese Government agreed to allow beef imports from the UK after releasing finalised details of a UK-China agreement.

British beef exporters had access to the Chinese market for the first time after more than two-decade ban imposed by the Chinese Government following the BSE outbreak.