UK pork exports increase in February

The UK exported 19,800 tonnes of pig meat (excluding offal) in February, according to data from HMRC. This was 9% (1,600 tonnes) more than in February last year, when the effects of Brexit were still being felt on trade, but nearly 2,000 tonnes more than was exported in January this year. However, the unit price of these exports was only £1.62/kg, nearly 30p lower than in the same month last year, reflecting the difficult trading conditions at that time.

February’s exports to the EU nearly tripled year-on-year to 11,200 tonnes, while volumes to China fell by 61% to just 4,200 tonnes. In January and February together, total pig meat exports were 37,800 tonnes, 30% more than during the same period a year ago.

UK exports of pork offal were 11,000 tonnes in February, slightly lower (-5%) than last year’s level in the same month.

UK imports of pig meat were 71,700 tonnes in February, lower than in January, but 41% higher than in the same month last year. At this time the EU market was still relatively well supplied with pigs, but very soon afterwards went significantly shorter, and so prices there have risen sharply. The UK itself is also expected to go shorter later in the year too, as the effect of falling sow numbers reduces the number of clean pigs available.

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