Opening access for British farmers to a market of over 300 million American consumers, British lamb has now been exported to the U.S for the first time in over 20 years. Industry estimates the US market will be worth £37 million (US$40.9 million) in the first five years of trade.
After the Small Ruminant Rule that banned British and EU lamb imports for over 20 years was rescinded by the U.S government last January, the first consignment was flown there this week containing lamb produced by meat processor Dunbia from its site in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
The UK’s latest trade development comes amid wider government efforts to drive growth for British food and farming, as the sector struggles to recover from Brexit woes, worker strikes, and further impacts brought by COVID-19 and global inflation.
New Zealand is still the top exporter of lamb in the world. From 2020-2021, we exported around 30,000 tonnes of lamb to the United States.
