Imports decline while exports grow in February: Pork market update

• UK pig meat imports totalled 56,100 tonnes in February, down 1% on the month and down 5% on the year
• UK pig meat exports in February rose by 15% from January to 29,300 tonnes, up 24% on the year
• Despite a wide UK–EU price differential early in the year, this did not appear to translate into import growth
• Watchpoints remain regarding strengthening global competition and Chinese market dynamics, although a narrowing UK-EU price gap may offer some market support

UK pig meat imports totalled 56,100 tonnes in February, down 1% on the month and down 5% on the year.

This brought UK pig meat import volumes to 112,700 tonnes for the first two months of 2026, down 4% (4,500 tonnes) year on year (YoY). This represents the lowest volume for the opening two months of the year since 2021.

Shipments from the Netherlands recorded the sharpest decline, with volumes falling 23% YoY to 9,700 tonnes in February. Dutch pig numbers are structurally reducing, influenced by the livestock farm termination scheme. Imports from Denmark also remained notably down on the year (-14%) at 12,000 tonnes for the month.

German shipments continued to record annual growth (+102%), comparing to the period of export restrictions last year following the Foot and Mouth outbreak. February volumes totalled 9,500 tonnes.

The USA remains the largest non-EU supplier, although volumes remain small. Imports increased by 23% (35 tonnes) YoY to total 188.

The wide EU-UK price differential recorded in January - February has not appeared to influence UK import volumes in the available data. Imports in January were down by 3% YoY as the price gap peaked at around 70p, well above the typical 30p average, suggesting demand for British product has been resilient. The February trade figures would support this.

Indeed, more recent data from our red meat country of origin audit show that British facings slightly increased in March for bacon, ham and sausages but declined slightly for pork.

By product, bacon imports showed the steepest decline in February (-9%), while fresh and frozen pork import volumes declined by 6% YoY. Sausage volumes held steady on the year (-0.3%).

Meanwhile, offal and processed pig meat posted annual growth of 4% and 2%, respectively.

Figure 1. UK pig meat imports by product ('000 tonnes), January-February 

Source: HMRC, compiled by Trade Monitor LLC

Figure 1 shows UK pig meat imports by product from 2022 to 2026, expressed in thousand tonnes. The categories include fresh and frozen pork, bacon, sausages, processed pig meat, and offal.

UK pig meat exports in February rose by 15% from January to 29,300 tonnes, up 24% on the year.

During February, shipments to the EU were up 7% on the year at 11,400 tonnes. This was driven by growth in exports to nations including Germany, Denmark and Poland.

Meanwhile, exports to China grew strongly in February compared to January (+24%) but were just below February 2025 levels (-2%).

For the year-to-date (Jan-Feb), exports to China were up 2% (375 tonnes) year-on-year to 21,800 tonnes.

China’s drive towards self‑sufficiency appears to have tempered demand for UK pig meat shipments, and indeed those from other suppliers. Chinese trade data shows that for the first quarter of 2026 total pig meat imports were down 21% YoY at 438,000 tonnes. In the first quarter alone, production data suggests that China slaughtered around 200 million pigs, with total pig meat production up 4.2% YoY over the same period.

Elsewhere, shipments to the Philippines grew strongly in February (totalling 1,900 tonnes) and remained above year-ago levels (+14%).  

On a product basis, UK exports of offal grew in February from the previous month, to be up 8% YoY. Shipments of fresh and frozen pork edged up slightly, to be up 15% on-the-year.

For the year-to-date, fresh and frozen pork accounted for 50% of total export volumes, overtaking offal (42%) to become the largest export category. This marks a notable shift from a year earlier, when offal held the largest share of the export mix over the two-month period.

Figure 2. UK pig meat exports by product ('000 tonnes), January-February

 Source: HMRC, compiled by Trade Monitor LLC

Figure 2 shows UK pig meat exports by product from 2022 to 2026, expressed in thousand tonnes. The categories include fresh and frozen pork, bacon, sausages, processed pig meat, and offal.

Looking ahead, UK pig meat exports are likely to face increased competition, particularly as Germany regains access to the Philippine market for the first time since 2020. Meanwhile, China’s expanding domestic production and continued focus on self‑sufficiency is expected to limit any meaningful upside for UK shipments, with production elevated. However, the narrowing price gap between EU and UK reference prices in recent months may lend some support to UK exports, while reducing the cost advantage of EU pork for UK buyers.

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