UK poultry exports fell by more than 8,000 tonnes in the second quarter, as a sharp drop in shipments to the Netherlands was accompanied by a growing reliance on Ghana and Belgium.
A total of 45,468 tonnes of poultry was exported during Q2 2026 according to HMRC data, down 15.5% on the 53,807 tonnes recorded in the same period last year.
The Netherlands remained by far the UK’s largest export destination, but volumes fell by almost 6,200 tonnes year on year to 14,742 tonnes.
Its share of total UK poultry exports has consequently fallen sharply, from 45.9% in Q2 2025 to 32.4% this year.
By contrast, Ghana has continued to increase its importance as a destination. Exports rose 48.1% to 5,963 tonnes, lifting its share from 7.5% to 13.1%.
Belgium has followed a similar trajectory, with shipments increasing by 24.4% to 4,983 tonnes and its share rising from 7.4% to 11.0%.
Together, Ghana and Belgium accounted for almost a quarter of UK poultry exports in Q2 2026, compared with less than 15% a year earlier.
The shift has not, however, been enough to compensate for losses elsewhere. Exports to France fell 34.9% to 1,890 tonnes, while shipments to Benin dropped 59.8% to 1,187 tonnes. Ireland was also down 11.2% at 3,384 tonnes.
The figures show a clear change in the UK’s export profile, with the Netherlands accounting for a substantially smaller proportion of trade while West African markets – particularly Ghana – and Belgium have increased their importance.
Overall export volumes, however, remain well below the levels seen in the second quarters of both 2024 and 2025.