Pork exports from the EU in May hit their lowest figure for the month since 2010 as many of the markets which had been supporting exports since the Russian ban reduced their purchases, according to AHDB Pork.
The May 2015 export trade, finishing at 114,700 tonnes, was 14% lower than a year earlier, with only China, of the major buyers of EU pork, taking more pork in May this year than in 2014. Thankfully, China took 38% more than last year, which certainly helped the overall figure.
The May trade was also 14% down on the year in financial terms at €273.2m (£189.6m).
“The weakening of export markets will certainly have contributed to EU pig prices remaining under pressure in recent months,” said AHDB Pork.
It was a similar picture for pig offal, with May shipments down 9% overall, despite exports to China rising.
“The fall was largely driven by a halving of trade with Hong Kong, due to logistical difficulties at the port there, which also led to a similar decline in pork shipments,” AHDB Pork. “Nevertheless, a rise in unit prices meant that the value of offal shipments was only 1% lower than a year earlier, at €97.5m (£67.7m).”