UK exports of pig meat (excusing offal) increased 14% (+2,700 tonnes) year-on-year in April 2019. Increased shipments have primarily gone to China and the Netherlands. China has taken more frozen pork while the Netherlands has increased fresh pork shipments.
The boost in exports during April has now brought exports for the year-to-date higher than for the same period of 2019. Frozen pork accounts for the largest volume increases during the period.
However, all other categories have shown some growth year on year. Understandably, China is responsible for the majority of increases, as African Swine Fever drives import demand. This has offset some large declines in shipments to Denmark and Poland.
Offal exports have also recorded a sizable increase in the first four months, again primarily to China. Exports of offal in the year to date are up 26% and total 33,000 tonnes.
AHDB analyst Tom Forshaw said: “Imports of pig meat (excluding offal) fell in April compared to the year earlier. Imports totalled 72,800 tonnes for the month, down 10%. A large share of these declines have come from Denmark and Germany. Most likely a factor of ASF in China displacing large amounts of exportable product from the two countries.
