Further declines to UK pork trade in February

Imports

Total pork imports for February were just under 56,700 tonnes. This is a fall of nearly 5,000 tonnes (8%) from January’s levels. Looking back to February 2022, imports have fallen by over 15,000 tonnes (21%).

In February, the main source for UK imports was Denmark, with 12,900 tonnes. This is however a fall of 1,800 tonnes (12%) from January’s total. Germany and Ireland also saw large falls on the month of 1,300 tonnes and 1,150 tonnes respectively. On the year, the most significant changes were seen in imports from Germany and the Netherlands which have seen volumes fall by 7,600 tonnes (44%), and 4,800 tonnes (30%) respectively.

Fresh and frozen pork volumes still retain the majority share of UK pig meat imports. In February they stood at 23,500 tonnes, down 1,400 tonnes from January. Bacon imports totalled 12,800 tonnes, down by 2,600 tonnes on the month, losing some market share to sausages where volumes saw smaller decline standing at 10,800 tonnes. Processed pig meat volumes saw the smallest change dipping by only 230 tonnes month on month.

Compared to February 2022, fresh and frozen pork volumes have fallen 26%, 8,200 tonnes. Bacon has seen as similar fall of 4,100 tonnes (24%), whilst processed pig meat and sausages fell by 1,600 tonnes and 1,200 tonnes respectively. 

Exports

Pork exports totalled 25,000 tonnes for February. This is a fall of 1,800 tonnes (7%) from January’s levels. Compared to February 2022, export volumes have dropped 7,200 tonnes (22%).

Exports to China totalled 9,700 tonnes in February, representing 39% of total export volume. Exports to China have fallen by almost 1,300 tonnes from January, however they have grown almost 1,500 tonnes (18%) on the year. Shipments to the EU-27 and the Philippines have declined both on the month and the year with volumes standing at 10,400 tonnes and 1,500 tonnes respectively in February 2023. The largest declines within the EU have been seen in shipments to France, Belgium, and Ireland.

Fresh and frozen pork exports totalled 10,800 tonnes in February 2023, a drop of 1,100 tonnes from the previous month and have fallen almost 40% (7,100 tonnes) year on year. The EU-27 remains the key destination for fresh and frozen pork receiving 4,800 tonnes in February, a 42% market share. Bacon exports also fell on both the month and the year with volumes standing at 1,100 tonnes. Processed pork exports fell compared to January but saw a marginal uplift year on year, meanwhile sausages saw a marginal increase in volumes month on month but were behind on those seen in February 2022.

Offal was the largest product category exported in February 2023 with 11,500 tonnes shipped, a 46% share of total export volume.  China is the largest destination of offal exports, receiving 6,150 tonnes in February, making up 53% of the total. This market has developed over the past year, with an increase of over 2,000 tonnes (50%) of offal exported to China compared to February last year, gaining 16% of the market share.

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