British meat and livestock product exports have broken the £1bn barrier for the first time in more than 10 years.

But farmers may not be able to build on this, warned Food From Britain. "It is excellent news but my concern is that, as supply remains tight within the UK, producers may have difficulty exploiting opportunities," said FFB chief executive David McNair.

Preliminary figures released this week by the MLC showed gains for beef and lamb exporters last year, with chicken and pork sales flat. Exports stood at £230m for lamb, £205m for processed meat products, £160m for chicken, £100m for pork and £90m for beef abroad. The latter was the highest figure since 1995 when beef exports were suspended as a result of BSE.

Producers said a return to normal beef exports in May last year helped them reach the landmark. In the eight months to December, exporters racked up more than 40,000 tonnes of business - 33% more than predicted.

"The best thing about the export market reopening is that it's quality focused," said Clive Mahony, ruminants director at Meadow Quality. "Exports have widened the market and put competition back into it."

Mahony said beef exports this year could go as high as 100,000 tonnes, although the MLC's official figure is closer to 70,000 tonnes.

"A great deal of work has been done to ensure British beef, pork and lamb are displayed in as many foreign markets as possible. We are now planning a concentrated programme of activity for the coming year," said export manager JP Garnier.

He predicted trade would move from carcasses towards boneless cuts of meat, offal and processed beef this year. "Many foreign markets have been enthusiastic buyers. It seems we have the right products at the right prices."