January 18, 2010

EU poised to grow pork exports to China

Even though overall pork import volumes to China dropped, the EU has increased its share.

Last year, the EU's share of Chinese pork imports rose 18% to 60% over 2008 figures. However, the story for North America is totally different as their portion of Chinese pork import volumes dropped by a combined 190,000 tonnes. The American share of the Chinese market plummeted more than 30% last year.

Some trade analysts say the volumes of American pork to China were impacted by the outbreak of AH1N1 and the use of hormones in US pig production.

Out of the various EU member countries, Spain was the big winner from China's switch from North American to EU pork.