UK pig meat imports remain below last year’s levels

By Charlie Reeve

UK pig meat exports during August were down both on the previous month and also compared to the same month last year.

Pig meat imports (including offal) totalled 60,200 tonnes, a decrease of 1,800 tonnes on July. Pig meat exports (including offal) have also declined marginally year-on-year totalling 31,900 tonnes during August, a decline of around 600 tonnes.

Imports

Fresh/frozen pork and processed pig meat imports both increased in volume compared to the previous month. However, despite this, import volumes for most of the major pig meat components were still lower year-on-year for the month of August. Bacon had the most notable decline with imports totalling 11,700 tonnes, down 3,100 tonnes (-21%) on last year.

Based on the first 8 months of trade for the month, pig meat import volumes are 80,000 tonnes below last year’s levels.

In August, Denmark accounting for 24% of pig meat imports (including offal) into the UK, followed closely by Germany at 23%, according to HMRC.

The total value of pig meat imports fell again during August totalling £176.7 million, a decrease in excess of £27.5 million compared to the previous year.

Exports

Overall exports volumes for pig meat imports (including offal) were up for August compared to the previous year. After a high volume of fresh/frozen pork exports during July, volumes dropped back to more normal levels of around 21,300 tonnes. Offal exports declined in August on the previous month, however they remain up for the month on last year.

Most of this export increase is still due to continued strong demand for pig meat from China. Based on the first 8 months of 2020, the volume of UK pig meat exports (including offal) being shipped to China has increased by 51%.

Total pig meat (inc offal) exports in August was valued at £49.3 million, a decrease of £3.1 million on the previous year.

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