January 12, 2009
Germany becomes leading pork exporter in EU
Denmark lost its crown to Germany as EU's leading pork supplier over the course of 2008.
Figures released by German state secretary, Gerd Mueller showed that Germany exported over 1.5 million tonnes of pork in the first three quarters of last year, superseding Denmark, which for many years had held the leading export position.
German exports to non-EU countries increased by 74 percent in the first three quarters of 2008 to reach 300,000 tonnes, which was an increase in value terms of 124 percent to reach EUR336 million (US$449 million), contributing substantially to the overall rise.
New veterinary agreements secured by the German food ministry with non-EU markets may have paved the way for the increase.
Germany's export success comes despite a 2.7 percent fall in the nation's pig production compared to the previous year.
