Foyle Food Group, Northern Ireland's largest red meat exporter, sent the United Kingdom's first tariff-free beef shipment to the United States. The cargo, valued above £190,000, qualified for nearly £50,000 in tariff savings under a new reciprocal quota of 13,000 tonnes established by the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal.

The firm employs 1,150 people across the UK. This shipment marks an early step in expanding access to the US beef market for British producers. United Kingdom food and drink exports reached over £25 billion last year, including £2 billion to the US.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds leads the UK's initial agri-food trade mission to Washington DC. Participants include representatives from the National Farmers' Union, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Foyle Food Group, International Meat Trade Association and Scotch Whisky Association.

The delegation attends the US Annual Meat Conference to engage with American buyers. Reynolds also hosts a reception at the Ambassador's Residence featuring UK beef, cheese, seafood, spirits and sparkling wine.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle noted the deal opens the US market of over 300 million consumers to UK beef farmers. Foyle Food Group's business development lead Michael Acheson stated the quota enables sales to various US customers and supports stable supply chains.

National Farmers' Union President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the mission as part of efforts to boost farm profitability through exports. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Chair Emily Norton highlighted strong US demand for UK red meat and dairy. Scotch Whisky Association Chief Executive Mark Kent pointed to the US as a key market worth £933 million last year.