EXPORT volumes of UK sheep meat to non-EU markets in the first quarter of 2014 hit a record high.

Shipments to these markets increased by 53 per cent, compared with the same period last year, to 5,430 tonnes with the Far East and West Africa the leading destinations.

Hong Kong is now second only to France as the largestvolume buyer for UK sheep meat exports, with volumes for the first quarter up 38 per cent on the same period last year. It accounts for more than 75 per cent of the UK’s non-EU trade.

West Africa has also become an increasingly important region for exports of UK sheep meat, with Ghana the ninth largest global destination.

The UK currently has access to 74 non-EU markets for sheep meat and 101 markets in total, including the EU.