UK exports falter further in July

By Duncan Wyatt

After having staged something of a recovery following the initial difficulties posed by Brexit, UK pig meat exports have since been struggling in more difficult market conditions.

UK exports of pig meat (not including offal) fell by 41% year on year in July, to 16,200 tonnes. Volumes to the EU fell by 43%, where the price of pigs has been falling rapidly in the face of market oversupply. EU production is higher this year than last, and although also higher, exports have not kept pace.

UK exports to the key market of China also fell, to 5,900 tonnes (-54% year on year). Wholesale pork prices there are now at levels not seen since before the outbreak of African Swine Fever. Although recovery in the Chinese herd appears to have stalled, and domestic production will probably be volatile in the future, current import demand is reported to be very weak.

In the year to July, the UK has exported 129,800 tonnes of pig meat, a drop of 22% year on year. This is despite a 7% increase in pig meat production in the same period, with lower imports largely making up the difference.

While not quite a last year’s levels, pig meat imports have been recovering more smoothly. This trend will have been helped by the reopening of the foodservice sector here, and heavily discounted prices for pork on the continent. 

In July, the UK imported 58,100 tonnes of pig meat, 1% less than a year ago. This brings the year to date total to 387,800 tonnes, 11% lower than in 2020.

Subscribe to receive pork market news straight to your inbox. Simply complete our online form.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.