Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. June 2025
    2. 2025 Innovation supplement
    3. May 2025
    4. April 2025
    5. March 2025
    6. 2025 Buildings supplement
    7. February 2025
    8. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    9. January 2025
    10. December 2024
    11. November 2024
    12. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    13. October 2024
    14. September 2024
    15. August 2024
    16. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    17. July 2024
    18. June 2024
    19. 2024 Innovation supplement
    20. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    21. May 2024
    22. April 2024
    23. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    24. March 2024
    25. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    26. February 2024
    27. January 2024
    28. December 2023
    29. November 2023
    30. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    31. October 2023
    32. September 2023
    33. Health Supplement
    Featured

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025
    Recent

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025

    2025 Innovation supplement now available

    June 4, 2025

    May 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    May 1, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Business

Trade between EU countries rebounds in 2017 while pig reference price slips in March

John SwireBy John SwireApril 12, 20183 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

The volume of pork traded between EU countries increased by around 3.5% in 2017, compared with year earlier levels. Also the pig reference price slipped back in March by

While much attention is commonly given to EU pork exports to external markets, trade between EU member states actually involves almost three times as much pork. This extensive trade means prices in most EU member states follow the same trend, and are broadly in line with each other.

In 2017, the latest Eurostat figures indicate fresh/frozen pork exports to non-EU markets fell back by 9% (-214,000 tonnes). While production of pig meat also declined modestly (-33,000 tonnes), overall there was still more pork available for consumption on the EU market in 2017 than 2016. As such, the increase in intra-EU shipments in unsurprising.

Intra EU pork trade

Over 80% of the volume exported originated from the six leading exporters. Germany continued to dominate, accounting for 24% of shipments, although this was one percentage point less than the previous year. Conversely, Spain increased its market share from 16% to 17%.

Imports of pork are more evenly distributed across the member states than exports. Italy remained the largest importer, receiving 17% the total volume traded. However, EU shipments to this country actually declined on the year. The second largest importer, Germany, also recorded a modest decline. As such, the overall increase in trade was driven by smaller destinations. The data suggests Dutch imports from the EU in particular increased by over 60% (+100,000 tonnes), which accounts for around half of the overall growth in trade. Nonetheless, Poland, Romania, the UK and Spain also all recorded pork import growth of between 10,000 and 35,000 tonnes last year.

This year, some anticipated growth in EU production might drive further growth in trade flows within Europe. However, demand from third countries, and in particular China, will be key. With the recent announcement regarding the imposition of tariffs on US pork into China, there may be scope to increase market share to this destination. As EU consumer demand remains somewhat challenging, this could alleviate pressure on the internal markets. Although, with other countries such as Brazil and Canada also eyeing the Chinese market, the extent to which Europe can capitalise on this opportunity remains to be seen.

Meanwhile the EU average pig reference price slipped during March, to €145.06/100kg in the week ending 1 April, down €3.54 compared to the four weeks previously, according to the EU Commission.

This decline came after a strong increase during February. The measure currently stands €16 below year earlier levels. The decline was not entirely unexpected as tight supplies were reported in February but the situation was not expected to last which is reflected in the recent weakening of the reference price.

EU average pig reference price

Of the key pig meat producing countries, Poland recorded the largest decline during the past four weeks, declining by €7.19, to stand at €142.83/100kg. The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark also all recorded price declines. Conversely, the Spanish and French reference prices both recorded gains, of €7.71 and €4 respectively.

The UK price increased during the four weeks ending 1 April, to €164.50/100kg. This is increase was largely due to marginally strengthening of the sterling. This means the UK premium over the EU price has widened during the most recent four weeks, to €19.36 although this is still narrower than the price difference recorded through the final quarter of 2017 and the first month of 2018.

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleMSD launches latest needle-free vaccine delivery device
Next Article Tulip’s Mark Haighton appointed to AHDB Pork board
John Swire

Read Similar Stories

Industry’s needs will be taken into account in farrowing reforms – Zeichner

June 17, 2025

Eurostar passengers encouraged to purchase pork products before boarding – report

June 17, 2025

Pig industry veteran Hugh Crabtree awarded MBE

June 16, 2025
Latest News

Industry’s needs will be taken into account in farrowing reforms – Zeichner

June 17, 2025

Eurostar passengers encouraged to purchase pork products before boarding – report

June 17, 2025

Pig industry veteran Hugh Crabtree awarded MBE

June 16, 2025
Sponsored Content

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024

Tackle the root cause of PWD with free diagnostic tests

March 1, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Farrowing Manager

    • Suffolk
    • Blythburgh Pigs
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1752 Somerset

    • Somerset
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Senior Piggery Stockpersons – Ref 1751 Western Australia

    • Western Australia
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.