UK pig meat exports, including offal, were up on the year again in January, following 12 months of consecutive growth, according to AHDB.
Exports
Overall primary pork exports were up by 10%, and frozen saw an increase of 17%.
Growth in shipments continues to be driven by increased exports to China amid ASF concerns, with shipments reaching 12,300 tonnes during the month, up 50% on the same month last year. Exports to the country are down on the peak volumes seen in October and November.
Average export prices fell to £1.73/kg, down from £1.90/kg at the end of 2019. The average price of product going to China saw a drop from £1.87/kg in December to £1.59/kg in January.
AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins said that the market has remained ‘relatively challenging’ for much of 2020 so far due to the ongoing covid-19 epidemic, but that in recent weeks there have been some reported movements in trade.
Imports
Pig meat imports were down 12% year on year for the month of January as all key suppliers reduced shipments, although imports from France rose by nearly a quarter compared to the same month last year.
Most of the decline was driven by fresh/frozen pork shipments, which were 14% lower than in January last year. Processed pig meat imports also fell significantly.
The amount spent on pig meat imports was 8% higher than last year, at £210m, with prices averaged £2.97/kg, compared to £2.42/kg last year.
