October 1, 2013

In January to June of 2013, Italy's pork imports were up 2% from the same period of 2012.

According to the German meat industry association, VDF, Italy is the top net importer of pig meat in the EU.

The total amount of fresh and frozen pig meat imported by Italy in the first six months of 2013 was 463,000 tonnes or 2% up from the same period of last year. The figure is well below the equivalent figure of 479,000 for 2011, however.

The majority of the imports came from Germany, which accounted for slightly more than one-third of all Italian pork imports and these increased by 12% to 157,300 tonnes. Volumes from other countries dropped markedly as a result.

Italy's pig meat exports were down 14% to 35,700 tonnes over the same time-frame, while the volume of ham exported was stable at 30,400 tonnes. The most important markets outside the EU are the US, Japan and Australia.

In the first half of 2013, 19% fewer live pigs were imported into Italy at around 460,000. Piglet imports were down 21% and slaughter pigs fell by 10%.