The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) has raised concerns following the release of UK trade figures showing a significant rise in sheep meat imports in 2024.

UK Government data revealed a 40 per cent increase in sheep meat imports, reaching 67,880 tonnes – the highest level since 2018.

Imports from New Zealand and Australia, which rose by 14,300 tonnes and 6,500 tonnes respectively, now account for 86 per cent of UK sheep meat imports, up from 78 per cent in 2023.

Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) analysis points to several factors contributing to the increase, including lower prices from the Southern Hemisphere, new Free Trade Agreements, and record high deadweight prices in the UK.

Glesni Phillips, HCC’s Intelligence, Analysis & Business Insight Executive said: “The rise in imports reflects lower prices from the Southern Hemisphere along with the new Free Trade Agreements, a tight domestic supply and record level deadweight prices in the UK. Imports have grown in order to meet demand – which has spiked around key religious festivals.”

DEFRA data also indicated a 7 per cent decline in UK sheep meat production in 2024, while UK beef production increased by 4 per cent.

The rise in beef production was driven by a 3 per cent increase in total throughput, while the number of sheep and lambs processed fell by eight per cent compared to 2023 data.

“These changes in domestic production, recorded by Defra, have directly impacted the availability of meat for export and contributed to notable shifts in red meat trade dynamics in 2024,” said Ms Phillips.

Further HMRC data identified the UK exported nearly 113,000 tonnes of beef during 2024, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase. The total value of these exports grew by 16 per cent.

“This growth was largely driven by increased shipments to France, Canada, and the Netherlands,” said Ms Phillips.

Responding to the data, Alun Owen, FUW regional vice-president said: "The surge in sheep meat imports from New Zealand and Australia poses a very real threat that could undermine the livelihoods of Welsh sheep farmers and the sustainability of our rural communities.

“The increased imports are perhaps unsurprising, and follow the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ longstanding warnings that previous governments’ liberal approach to trade negotiations with New Zealand and Australia could drastically undermine Welsh farmers and domestic food production.

“Increasingly we are witnessing a potential displacement of high-quality Welsh and UK lamb - a product of world-leading sustainable farming practices - in favour of imports that have travelled thousands of miles.”

Gareth Parry, FUW Head of Policy added: “The tighter throughput of livestock across the UK reflects current confidence levels of the sector, whilst the resulting record-high prices are causing difficulties for processors and retailers across the supply chain which, in part, increases the attractiveness of cheaper imports.

“In reality, however, inherent to the increase in food imports is a reduction in the UK’s food security, both through the displacement of domestic production and through additional reliance on food produced many thousands of miles away.”