AHDB:Lower pig meat imports and exports in April
At 61,000 tonnes, volumes were still higher than the same month a year ago, but around 11,000 tonnes lower than recent monthly import levels.
The drop can perhaps be explained by a fall in competitiveness of European product, as EU pig prices rallied strongly in March. Indeed, the average price of fresh/frozen pork imports went from below £2.00/kg prior to April, to £2.26/kg in the month, even before sterling depreciated against the euro.
This brings pig meat import volumes for the year to date to 285,000 tonnes, an increase of 34% over 2021, and slightly above levels seen in 2020.
UK exports of pig meat (not including offal) were also lower in April, compared either to a year ago or recent months, with 18,400 tonnes shipped overseas. Exports to the EU were 10,700 tonnes, 46% more than a year ago at a time when trade was supressed because of both the pandemic and Brexit. Exports to China were 3,700 tonnes, 53% less than a year ago, and volumes to the rest of the world fell by 24% to 4,000 tonnes.
In the year to date, pig meat exports (not including offal) amount to 81,000 tonnes overall, up 8% on 2021, with a value of £138m, down 6% on a year ago.
Exports of pig offal, so important to the value of the sector as a whole, increased year on year by 24% in April, to 13,000 tonnes. China remains the main destination accounting for 40%, although this is down from over 50% a year ago. 17% of offal exports went to the Philippines, up from 8% a year ago, and 3% a year before that. In the year to date 47,000 tonnes have been exported with a value of £50m.
Tracy will lead QMS’s proactive community engagement (outreach) programme across the length...
With the help of BlueInvest, the French start-up Agriloops has risen to the challenge by proposin...
Now boasting more than 4,000 active trainee members, the Lion Training Passport was established b...
