June 3, 2016

Spanish pork exports in the first quarter posted a strong growth compared with the same period last year, with volumes up 16% to 355,000 tonnes.

This growth, as with other member states such as Ireland, was largely attributed to increased shipments to China, which more than doubled during the period from last year, according to AHDB Pork.

As previously reported, the high pig price in China, coupled with increased demand that cannot be met domestically, is attracting exports from all major pork-producing nations.

Shipments to Italy also increased, by 5%, and the UK, by 16%. France remains the largest importer of Spanish pork, although volumes were reduced by 17% from last year.

The pork division of the UK Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board noted that since there seems to be little sign of any tightening of supplies in the Spanish pig herd, Spanish export levels would likely continue to rise throughout 2016.

Imports of fresh and frozen pork into Spain fell by 8% to 26,100 tonnes in the first quarter, compared with the same period last year. Shipments from France and the Netherlands both recorded significant declines (-26% and -27% respectively), while imports from Poland and Portugal increased in volume, albeit from a smaller base.