Pig meat trade remains subdued in November

Exports of UK pig meat (excluding offal) were 20,200 tonnes (product weight) in November, 10% lower than a year ago, although higher than in October. In the year-to-date the UK has exported 201,400 tonnes of pig meat, 24% less than at the same point in 2020.

Waning Chinese import demand means year-to-date volumes to that market were 30% lower year on year, at 76,600 tonnes. Despite cooling demand, the country is, and will continue to be a key destination for UK exports. The European market, itself well-supplied, is also contending with lower demand from China. Consequently, the bloc has taken only 85,500 tonnes of UK pig meat in 2021, a reduction of 36%.

The Philippines remains a bright spot of export success, increasing volumes by more than six times compared to a year ago, to 13,000 tonnes. Exports to South Africa have increased by more than four times to over 4,400 tonnes.

(note: chart is in carcase weight equivalent, and so percentage changes may differ from above)

Pig meat imports were also lower than a year ago in November, by 9% at 67,100 tonnes (product weight). This brings the year-to-date total to 646,200 tonnes, a decline of 8%.

At 11,600 tonnes, offal exports were 9% higher year on year in November. China remains the single biggest market, and took delivery of 5,800 tonnes, more than twice the volume of November 2020. In the year-to-date 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%.

For more information on trade click here, and for how it may develop over 2022, read the updated Agri-market outlook, published at the end of this month.

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