Variety is the spice of life
This column was originally published in Meat Management in June 2021
The announcement confirming that as of May 17th hospitality would be able to reopen indoors was welcome news for many in the food industry. AHDB reported recently that ‘there is evidence of pent-up demand from consumers’ citing a survey that indicates that 27% of GB consumers ‘plan to go out more often than they typically would pre-Covid’. This is good news for the eating out sector which has had a very challenging time of late. Hopefully we will see consumers treating themselves to a succulent steak.
Whilst at retail there is often a commitment to sourcing British and Irish meat, in the hospitality sector imported meat plays a key role in providing consumer choice. Argentine beef from the pampas and Japanese wagyu beef are well-known examples that offer a different (but equally delicious) eating experience! The UK-Japan Free trade agreement means there is better access for Japanese beef to the UK market. A beautiful British steak is something that can always be enjoyed but variety is the spice of life and international trade facilitates that. We want to be able to export the British beef eating experience around the world but we also should welcome UK consumers to have choice.
Since the 1st of January consumer choice has arguably been diminished. For example, due to the WTO apportionment (quota ‘split’) between the UK and the EU, reduced-tariff access for Argentinian beef to the UK has been cut to just a meagre 111t annually under its Hilton quota share. Similarly, there has been a loss of the 481 grainfed beef quota which had a popular niche in the restaurant sector demonstrated by how the quota was used up quicker and quicker with each quota period. It is vital that the important role that imports play in consumer choice is recognised and that steps are taken to ensure this is not inhibited.
Looking ahead to October 1st when the UK staged border controls begin there will need to be careful consideration of how this might impact on consumer choice. For example, groupage facilitates the collection of a wide range of products from around the EU and is utilised particularly by SMEs to supply customers in the UK. We are working to make the case continually that we need options for groupage transport both for our exports to the EU and in reverse. We get a great range of different popular products from the EU from chorizo, parma ham and prosciutto to salamis and all kinds of specialist sausages. These really do provide variety for UK consumers and it is crucial that when these changes come in from October that trade is facilitated. The consumer is key when it comes to trade considerations and one which we hope perhaps going forward in discussions of the joint committees that will be established under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement can be remembered. In both directions we need the border to work better, taking into consideration proximity and just in time trade that exists between the UK and EU.
The UK is currently engaged in negotiations with Free Trade Agreement partners which provide opportunities for consumers in another part of the world to perhaps get better access to British product but for UK consumers also to have the choice of products that are the proud produce of the partner country.