Securing new export markets for UK pork

Chilean authorities have given the green light to 27 pork processing sites from across all four devolved nations to start commercial exports.

The UK has an association agreement with Chile, which largely maintains prior preferential trading arrangements and rules of origin. This means that UK pork exporters can benefit from the import tariff under the Most-Favoured-Nation tariff of 6%, subject to certain conditions.

Pork production in Chile remained stagnant last year, with imports rising year after year for the last decade due to increased demand. As the second most consumed meat in Chile,  consumption is expected to increase steadily, reaching an estimated 26.8 kg per capita by 2029.

Vietnam could offer opportunities

We are also working in partnership with government and industry to secure access to Vietnam, where pork is the most favoured meat, with consumption outstripping domestic production.

Outbreaks of African swine fever in the country also led to an increase in pork imports to Vietnam last year, offering potential opportunities for pork exporters in the UK.

One of our key roles is providing valuable expertise and insight to UK government and the wider industry to secure additional markets for our exporters. AHDB International Market Development Director Dr Phil Hadley said that both markets offered potential for the UK’s pork sector.

He added: “Opening the market for UK pork to Chile, following gaining access to Mexico, will provide pig farmers and processors with another valuable market to sell their products, providing a much-needed boost for the sector.”

Work is ongoing to expand the UK’s offering to Mexico to include offal, having gained market access for meat in September last year. This is estimated to be worth £50 million to the UK’s pork sector over the first five years of trade.