January 6, 2023

UK increases pork imports in October

Pork imports to the UK totalled 67,700 tonnes in October 2022, 12% up compared to September the same year and 8% higher compared to October 2021, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

At 27,900 tonnes, fresh/frozen pork imports still account for the largest volume share, but this is 5% less than the volume for the same month in 2021. Volumes in the categories of processed meats, sausages, and bacon are up significantly year-on-year, by 44%, 23%, and 11%, respectively.

The total volume of pork imports to the UK for the entire year (January to October 2022) has risen by 12% to 667,600 tonnes. Although this is more muted for fresh/frozen pork, all product categories have experienced year-on-year growth.

28,400 tonnes of UK pork were exported in all in October, which was 2% less than in September but 11% more than in the same month last year. At 13,100 tonnes compared to 12,300 tonnes, shipments of offal surpassed those of fresh/frozen for the first time during the month as the largest product share in volume terms.

Volume changes in different product categories have varied from year to year. Exports of offal, bacon, and processed foods have all seen significant growth, albeit from a lower base. However, there have been decreases in the fresh/frozen and sausage categories.

The total UK export volumes for the first 10 months (January to October 2022) are at 312,700 tonnes, up 9% from 2021 and consistent with volumes from 2019. (before the disruption from the pandemic and Brexit). Though all product categories have seen year-on-year growth, the monthly data shows a pattern similar to that of 2019: growth in processed and offal, but declines in fresh/frozen, bacon, and sausages.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board