AHDB: UK pig meat production grew 4 percent in 2024

Pork

The UK produced 960,800 tonnes of pig meat in 2024, a year-on-year increase of almost 4%, according to AHDB. This boost in domestic production appears to have stunted import volume growth, despite an enlarging gap between EU and UK reference prices. However, on the exports front, strong domestic production did not lead to an increase in UK pig meat exports in 2024, as higher pricing made product less competitive on the global market.

Posted on Mar 03 ,00:13

Imports

The UK imported 789,300 tonnes of pig meat (including offal) in 2024. This was a small increase of 7,500t (+1%) compared to the previous year. Monthly import volumes have fluctuated across the year. There also remains some seasonality to pig meat imports, with volumes typically picking up ahead of peak demand periods such as Christmas.

However, the final quarter of the year (Oct – Dec) was an interesting period to watch as EU pig pricing fell substantially while UK pig prices only saw marginal movement. Overall, Q4 2024 imports were up 2.7% compared to Q4 2023, but the gains were not universal across individual months. Both October and December recorded year-on-year increases of just over 4%, meanwhile November recorded virtually no change compared to 2023. This suggests, that despite cheaper EU imports, demand for domestic product was sustained, possibly supported by British retail facings.

Looking at product categories for the full year, volume declines in bacon (-2.2%) and processed pig meat (-7.0%) were outweighed by growth in sausage (+4.8%) and fresh & frozen pork (+2.4%).

Fresh & frozen pork accounted for 43% of total pig meat import volume at 339,400 tonnes. The key suppliers were Denmark, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

Although volumes have fallen year-on-year, bacon still makes up the second largest share of import volume (22%) at 176,500 tonnes. Over 100,000 tonnes of total bacon imports came from the Netherlands, with Denmark making up most of the remaining volume.

Sausage and processed pig meat see more variety in their sourcing, with Poland and Ireland key suppliers alongside Germany and Spain. Sausage volume growth has been driven by increased shipments from Germany, Ireland and Italy, while volumes from other key players remained stable year-on-year. However, volume decline in processed pig meat has been seen across all suppliers.

Exports

The UK exported 298,100 tonnes of pig meat (including offal) in 2024, a marginal decline of 400 tonnes (-0.1%) compared to 2023. This is in contrast to UK pig meat production volumes, which grew by nearly 4% in 2024. Domestic pig prices held firm through 2024, despite external market pressure, making UK product less competitive on the global market.

Looking at product categories, movements were mixed. Shipments of offal continued to record significant growth, up 9,300 tonnes annually. Export volumes of processed pig meat and sausage also increased but from a much smaller base. However, strong declines in fresh & frozen pork and bacon, down 8,000 tonnes and 3,200 tonnes respectively, tipped the overall balance.

The EU remains the UK’s largest destination for pig meat exports, receiving 42% of total volume (124,900 tonnes). However, volumes have slipped year-on-year (-6,400 tonnes) as EU production gains and weaker consumption across the continent have impacted import demand for the region. Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Belgium account for 90% of UK shipments to the EU, with almost half of this made up of fresh & frozen pork.

Despite a stagnant Chinese economy, UK shipments to China have grown 7.0% year-on-year to 120,100 tonnes. This growth has been driven by offal, which make up 65% of total shipment volume. Meanwhile, shipments of fresh & frozen pork have continued to decline, down 10% compared to 2023. The re-listing of two UK plants before Christmas may further support UK pig meat exports to China in 2025.

The Philippines continues to be a lucrative market for UK exports. In 2024, pig meat shipments increased by 3,100 tonnes, to 20,400 tonnes. This volume is primarily made up of offal (77%). The UK benefits from reduced tariff rates on pig meat shipments to the Philippines, a measure introduced by the Philippine government to secure supplies and keep consumer food costs down whist the domestic pork industry battles with African swine fever.

Other key destinations of UK pig meat exports are the USA, South Africa, Dominican Republic, South Korea and Cote d'Ivoire. With the exception of the USA and South Africa, which receive a good proportion of fresh & frozen pork, the vast majority of product going to these alternative destinations is offal.