EU ‘indispensable’ as Scottish red meat exports hit record £190m
“These record results are a powerful vote of confidence in Scotland’s red meat sector” – Kate Rowell, QMS chair
Scottish red meat exports have hit a record high of £190 million, after more than doubling in just three years.
The latest Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) annual export survey shows that sales rose for a fourth consecutive year during the August 2025 to July 2026 period. Revenues increased by nearly 10 per cent on the previous year and have more than doubled in three years.
Industry leaders said the exports were delivering a major boost to the economic value generated by Scotland’s beef and lamb sector and underlined the importance of overseas markets to the rural economy.
Export volumes grew even faster than revenues in the latest period, surging by more than 25 per cent. QMS said the increase highlighted the role of international demand in supporting carcass balance and generating additional value beyond what can be realised in the domestic market.
QMS chair Kate Rowell said: “These record results are a powerful vote of confidence in Scotland’s red meat sector. Export sales of £190m are not simply a headline figure, they represent additional value flowing through our supply chain and supporting farming, processing and rural communities across Scotland.
“With revenues more than doubling in three years and volumes rising by over 25 per cent in the latest survey period, overseas demand is helping the industry make the best use of the whole carcass and secure returns that cannot always be achieved in the domestic market.
“The EU remains indispensable to our export success, but sales across 24 EU and non-EU markets also show the strength of Scotland’s reputation for quality,” she added. “Protecting market access and continuing to build demand at home and abroad will be essential if we are to turn this momentum into lasting value for producers and the wider Scottish economy.”
Beef export revenues increased by 3 per cent to £104m, while lamb exports jumped by 22 per cent to £75m.
EU destinations remained the engine of export performance, accounting for almost 99 per cent of revenues and 97.5 per cent of volumes. Nearly all lamb sales went to EU markets.
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