Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) tonnage and (b) value of (i) beef, (ii) sheep meat, (iii) pork, (iv) dairy and (v) poultry products have been imported in the last three years, by country of source.
According to Defra analysis of HM Revenue & Customs overseas trade statistics, UK imports in the last three years were as follows:
Beef & veal and beef products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 340,000 | 360,000 | 360,000 |
Value | £1.2bn | £1.3bn | £1.4bn |
The Irish Republic was the top import market for beef and veal, with 700,000 tonnes worth £2.6 billion over the three years. Second was Brazil with 80,000 tonnes worth £274 million. Third was the Netherlands with 60,000 tonnes worth £262 million.
Sheep meat:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 90,000 | 80,000 | 78,000 |
Value | £345m | £369m | £373m |
New Zealand was the top import market for sheep meat, with 170,000 tonnes worth £790 million over the three years. Second was Australia with 32,000 tonnes worth £140 million. Third was the Irish Republic with 23,000 tonnes worth £78 million.
Pork, bacon & ham:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 680,000 | 690,000 | 670,000 |
Value | £1.3bn | £1.5bn | £1.4bn |
Denmark was the top import market for pork, bacon and ham, with 690,000 tonnes worth £1.3 billion over the three years. Second was the Netherlands with 450,000 tonnes worth £890 million. Third was Germany with 360,000 tonnes worth £754 million.
Dairy products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 1,400,000 | 1,500,000 | 1,600,000 |
Value | £2.6bn | £3.0bn | £3.3bn |
The Irish Republic was the top import market for dairy products, with 1,300,000 tonnes worth £2.2 billion over the three years. Second was France with 840,000 tonnes worth £1.5 billion. Third was Germany with 700,000 tonnes worth £1.1 billion.
Poultry meat and poultry products:
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
Tonnes | 860,000 | 850,000 | 860,000 |
Value | £2.0bn | £2.2bn | £2.4bn |
The Netherlands was the top import market for poultry meat and poultry products, with 700,000 tonnes worth £1.9 billion over the three years. Second was Thailand with 440,000 tonnes worth £1.3 billion. Third was Poland with 380,000 tonnes worth £929 million.