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
    • July 2025
    • 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. July 2025
    2. June 2025
    3. 2025 Innovation supplement
    4. May 2025
    5. April 2025
    6. March 2025
    7. 2025 Buildings supplement
    8. February 2025
    9. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    10. January 2025
    11. December 2024
    12. November 2024
    13. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    14. October 2024
    15. September 2024
    16. August 2024
    17. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    18. July 2024
    19. June 2024
    20. 2024 Innovation supplement
    21. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    22. May 2024
    23. April 2024
    24. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    25. March 2024
    26. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    27. February 2024
    28. January 2024
    29. December 2023
    30. November 2023
    31. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    32. October 2023
    33. September 2023
    34. Health Supplement
    Featured

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025
    Recent

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025

    2025 Innovation supplement now available

    June 4, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
Business

UK pork imports rise as domestic supplies dwindle

Alistair DriverBy Alistair DriverJuly 26, 20233 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

UK pork imports rose in May as supplies of domestic pork remained suppressed due to the contraction of the national breeding herd. 

Total pork imports for the month, at 68,600 tonnes, were nearly 9,300 tonnes (16%) up from April’s levels and 2% (1,600 tonnes) higher than May 2022 levels.

Lower availability in the domestic market has been the driving factor behind increased in imports – UK pig slaughterings in May were 14% down on a year ago, following April’s 19% reduction, Defra figures show. The increase has been recorded despite tight EU supplies and high pork prices, with the gap between UK and EU prices remaining well below the normal difference.

The main source for UK imports in May was Denmark with 14,100 tonnes, an increase of 3,000 tonnes from April’s levels, AHDB senior analyst Soumya Behera said. This was followed by imports from Germany and the Netherlands at 13,300 tonnes and 12,200 tonnes respectively. The most significant changes on the year were noticed in imports from Denmark and Belgium which have seen shipped volumes grow by 1,800 tonnes and 1,600 tonnes respectively.

pork imports during May23

Fresh and frozen pork volumes continue to retain the majority market share in the import basket. In May, they stood at 29,200 tonnes, up 3,800 tonnes from April. Bacon imports stood at 15,300 tonnes while imports of sausages totalled 13,100 tonnes for the month, an increase of 1,900 tonnes and 2,000 tonnes respectively from the previous month. Processed pig meat imports increased by 1,500 tonnes month on month to stand at 9,600 tonnes in May.

Year on year, fresh and frozen pork volumes increased by 11% (2,800 tonnes). Sausages noticed an increase of 800 tonnes compared to May last year, while processed pig meat and bacon have declined by 1,400 tonnes and 700 tonnes respectively.

Exports

Pork exports remain well below year earlier levels – the total 24,000 tonnes for May was 1,000 tonnes (4%) down on April levels and a massive 33%, 12,000 tonnes, below the May 2022 figure. Lower availability in the domestic market has again been the driving factor behind the decline.

Exports to the EU were reported at 11,300 tonnes contributing to 47% of the export basket. The EU remains the key destination for fresh and frozen pork exports receiving 5,100 tonnes in May, a 54% market share.

Exports to China, at 8,100 tonnes in May, represented 34% of the total export volumes, although 5,500 tonnes of this volume was offal. Exports to China have declined by 2,000 tonnes from April and by 3,800 tonnes (32%) on the year. Shipments to the EU and the Philippines have increased marginally on the month, by 600 tonnes and 200 tonnes respectively, although  they remain below volumes seen this time last year.

pork exports during May23

Fresh and frozen pork exports totalled 9,400 tonnes in May 2023, a decline of 700 tonnes from a month ago and of 52% (10,000 tonnes) year-on-year.

Processed pork exports increased on both the month and the year with volumes totalling 1,400 tonnes. Bacon exports increased compared to April but fell year-on-year and sausages also followed the same trend. Offal exports totalled 11,600 tonnes in May 2023 holding a 49% share of total export volume.

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleDefra seeks views on next round of Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology grant
Next Article EU pork production plummets as USDA forecasts mixed global outlook
Alistair Driver

Editor Pig World, group editor Agronomist and Arable Farmer and Farm Contractor. National Pig Association webmaster. Former political editor at Farmers Guardian. Occasional media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm. Works from a shed in his Oxfordshire garden.

Read Similar Stories

ABN kicks off pioneering long-term mill project

July 11, 2025

Red Tractor to press ahead with new tiers for outdoor pig producers

July 10, 2025

Last chance to enter or nominate for 2025 National Pig Awards

July 10, 2025
Latest News

ABN kicks off pioneering long-term mill project

July 11, 2025

Red Tractor to press ahead with new tiers for outdoor pig producers

July 10, 2025

Last chance to enter or nominate for 2025 National Pig Awards

July 10, 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
  • Senior-Level Pig Stockperson – Ref 1760 Hampshire

    • Hampshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1759 North Yorkshire

    • North Yorkshire
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1758 Norfolk

    • Norfolk
    • 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
  • Weekly Tribune
  • 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.