This month’s Market Bulletin focuses on the UK sheep sector, highlighting current trends and key factors influencing the market.
Key points:
- Total sheep & lamb throughput for 2025 (up to September) is steady on year-earlier levels at 9.3 million head – just 0.2% higher than the same period in 2024 (DEFRA).
- Prime lambs made up a higher proportion of the total throughput at 89%.
- Year-to date fresh & frozen UK exports are up 13% at 55,300 tonnes, with 95% of shipments destined for the EU.
- Imports of fresh & frozen sheep meat for the first 8 months of 2025 are up 7% on the year to 50,600 tonnes.
- Consumers continue to face higher retail prices due to a rise in inflation. In terms of consumer sales, volume and spend on lamb are down.
For the full analysis, click HERE to read October’s Market Bulletin. It also includes a monthly market round-up on prices and throughput of cattle, sheep and pigs.
