UK pork exports drop back in volume during November

By Charlie Reeve

UK pork markets during November showed a shift in trade flows, with import volumes increasing on the previous month, while exports decreased.

In November, UK pig meat imports (inc offal) increased by 9% (6,400 tonnes) on the previous month and 2% (1,500 tonnes) on the same month last year. By contrast, UK pig meat exports (inc offal) fell by 15% (5,700 tonnes) on the previous month and down 8% (2,600 tonnes) on the same month last year.

The value of pig meat (inc offal) imports increased by 7% to total £208 million during November. This was slightly behind the increases seen in volumes which indicates a reduction in price. This is unsurprising given that German pork is particularly price competitive, due to an oversupplied market, and low domestic pig prices in Germany following the ASF outbreak in the wild boar herd.

The value of total UK exports went down 15% to £54 million in November compared to a year ago. The value of exports to the UK’s largest export destination China dropped back slightly on the previous month in line a decrease in volume, although prices paid in the region remain fairly strong.

Looking at the bigger picture, volumes for the first 11 months of 2020still show imports down slightly and exports to be up in volume compared to the same period in 2019. The reduction in exports during November is likely because of less product availability, due to Covid-19 related difficulties at some processing facilities.

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