Exports of UK pig meat (excluding offal) in November 2021 were 10% lower than in the same month in 2020, despite being up on export levels in October, AHDB lead analyst for red meat Duncan Wyatt has reported.
This brings the total for the year to November 2021 to 201,400 tonnes of exported pig meat, down 24% on the same period in 2020.
The struggle has largely been a result of falling Chinese import demand, which were down by 30% to 76,000 tonnes, and competition with the European market to supply international markets.
On a brighter note, the Philippines remains a UK pig meat export success, increasing volumes by more than six times compared to a year ago, to 13,000 tonnes. Exports to South Africa have also increased by more than four times to over 4,400 tonnes.
Offal exports were 9% higher year on year in November, weighing in at a total of 11,600 tonnes, driven by demand from China which took half of UK offal exports (5,800 tonnes).
Mr Wyatt said: “China’s imports of UK offal have increased by 17% to 59,000 tonnes. These contributed to total UK offal exports of 118,000 tonnes, a rise of 25%.”
Pig meat imports were also lower than a year ago in November, by 9% at 67,100 tonnes (product weight), bringing the year-to-date total to 646,200 tonnes, a decline of 8%.
