51AVÊÓÆµ

Farmers risk losing market share to imports without significant growth in beef herd, NBA says

NBA and SBA chief executive Neil Shand said Scottish farmers must grow the Scottish beef herd to 79,000 by 2030 to meet market demand alone

Chris Brayford
clock • 2 min read
Neil Shand, chief executive at the National Beef Association and Scottish Beef Association, said: "We import beef currently from a herd that is bigger than Scotland's. 79,000 cows are needed in Scotland alone by 2030, or we will lose market share to imports."
Image:

Neil Shand, chief executive at the National Beef Association and Scottish Beef Association, said: "We import beef currently from a herd that is bigger than Scotland's. 79,000 cows are needed in Scotland alone by 2030, or we will lose market share to imports."

Food producers have been warned they could no longer be in control of the UK's market share of beef in four years time without making a conscientious effort to grow the national beef herd by nearly 80,000....

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Beef

Highland cattle shine in the Royal Highland showring and on the hills

Highland cattle shine in the Royal Highland showring and on the hills

The Cladich Highland cattle prefix features in volume one of the Highland Cattle Society Herd Book of 1885, and two heifers from the fold will be heading to the Royal Highland Show

Wendy Short
clock 10 June 2026 • 8 min read
Why Simmental cattle are paying their way on one Herefordshire mixed farm

Why Simmental cattle are paying their way on one Herefordshire mixed farm

The Smith family have ensured their suckler finishing enterprise is future-proofed with pure-bred Simmentals at the heart of their Herefordshire-based mixed farm

clock 02 June 2026 • 5 min read
South Devon cattle bred for the future on the edge of Dartmoor

South Devon cattle bred for the future on the edge of Dartmoor

The Colcharton herd of South Devon cattle are the pride and joy of Colin, Lowenna and Nick Edwards who won the South Devon Herd Book Society’s national herd competition award in 2025

Athwenna Irons
clock 01 June 2026 • 8 min read