13 Aug 2013

Timing of NZ lamb exports to UK

1:01 pm on 13 August 2013

The timing of New Zealand lamb exports to Britain remains an issue for farmers there.

A delegation from British sheep sector is visiting New Zealand for talks with farmers and processors, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy.

Britain is still a key market for New Zealand lamb, although China is now the biggest sheepmeat destination.

National Farmers Union livestock board chair Charles Sercombe said one of the challenges shared by British and New Zealand sheep farmers is price volatility.

He said the timing of New Zealand's lamb shipments to Britain has contributed to a price drop that UK farmers have seen in the past year. One week saw a drop of 20%.