Imports and exports of pork products declined month on month and year on year in February 2023, the latest data shows.
Imports
Total imports were just under 56,700 tonnes in February, 5000 tonnes (8%) less than in January 2023 and 15,000 tonnes (21%) lower than February 2022.
Denmark remains the main source for UK imports, with 12,900 tonnes, however this is fall of 1,800 tonnes (12%) from January. Falls were also seen on German and Irish imports (1,300 and 1150 tonnes respectively). Year-on-year, the most significant changes were seen in imports from Germany and the Netherlands, where imports fell by 7,600 tonnes (44%) and 4,800 tonnes (30%) respectively.
The majority of UK pig imports are still fresh and frozen pork, although the 23,500 tonnes total in February was down. by 1,400 tonnes from January. Bacon imports totalled 12,800 tonnes (a 2,600 reduction from January), and sausages saw a smaller decline at 10,800 tonnes. Processed pig meat volumes had the smallest decline with only 230 tonnes difference month-on-month.
Fresh and frozen pork volumes have fallen 26%, 8,200 tonnes compared to February 2022. Bacon has declined by of 4,100 tonnes (24%), whilst processed pig meat and sausages fell by 1,600 tonnes and 1,200 tonnes respectively.
Exports
Pork exports fell by 1,800 tonnes (7%) from January and 7,200 tonnes (22%) to 25,000 tonnes in February.
Exports to China represented 39% of the total volume at 9,700 tonnes, a fall by almost 1,300 tonnes from January, but a rise by almost 1,500 tonnes (18%) year-on-year. Shipments to the EU-27 and the Philippines have declined both on the month and the year with volumes standing at 10,400 tonnes and 1,500 tonnes respectively in February 2023. The largest declines within the EU have been seen in shipments to France, Belgium, and Ireland.
Fresh and frozen pork exports totalled 10,800 tonnes in February 2023, down by 1,100 tonnes from the previous month and a reduction of 40% (7,100 tonnes) year on year. The EU-27 remains the key destination for fresh and frozen pork receiving 4,800 tonnes in February, a 42% market share.
Bacon exports also fell on both the month and the year with volumes standing at 1,100 tonnes. Processed pork exports fell across the month but saw a small increase year on year, meanwhile sausages saw a marginal increase in volumes month on month but were behind on those seen in February 2022.
Offal was the largest export in February 2023 with 11,500 tonnes shipped, a 46% share of total export volume. China is the largest destination of offal exports, receiving 6,150 tonnes in February, making up 53% of the total. This market has developed over the past year, with an increase of over 2,000 tonnes (50%) of offal exported to China compared to February last year, gaining a 16% market share.