UK expected to import more beef as EU lowers consumption

THE UK, Ireland’s main beef market, is expected to import an extra 5,000 tonnes in 2007.

The EU beef forecasting group expects lower consumption, and an increasing UK cow beef supply — but imports will grow if exports out of the UK expand as expected.

In the EU-15, the shortfall between beef production and consumption is expected to rise 70,000 tonnes, due to a 1% fall in net production and unchanged consumption.