UK pig meat trade volumes grow in May

Imports

Imports of pig meat (excluding offal) into the UK ticked up in May from the previous month, according to data from HMRC.

At 66,800 tonnes, volumes were up 10% (6,000 tonnes) from April, and up 18% from May 2021.

Year-on-year, volumes grew mainly from the Netherlands, Spain, France and Ireland. This more than outweighed continued lower shipments from Denmark.

Import prices to the UK generally strengthened again during the month, although not at the rate seen during March-April. The average price of fresh and frozen pork imports stood at £2.32/kg in May, up from £2.26/kg the month before.

Exports

UK pig meat exports also increased during May, to 21,700 tonnes, up 14% from April and up 8% from volumes shipped during May 2021.

Shipments to the EU increased by 2,500 tonnes year-on-year to 11,000 tonnes, which more than offset continued declines in shipments bound for China. Despite increasing by 2,000 tonnes between April and May 2022, Chinese volumes in May were still 18% (1,300 tonnes) lower year-on-year at 6,000 tonnes. Shipments to the rest of the world grew 9% to 4,700 tonnes.

Exports of offal, so important to the value of the sector as a whole, grew by 14% in May year-on-year to 13,600 tonnes. Shipments grew particularly to the Netherlands, Philippines and Dominican Republic, offsetting lower volumes to China (-500 tonnes) and Hong Kong (-360 tonnes).

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