February 21, 2022

 

Chile's pork exports maintain growth, imports on the rise

 

Chile's pork exports continue to grow while imports have gained ground and increased significantly over the last decade.

 

Historically, the country has been characterised by maintaining a surplus trade balance in which pork exports have largely exceeded imports. However, in the last 10 years, the level of imports has grown significantly year after year, while exports, despite exhibiting a growing trend in the last decade, showed a significant drop in 2021.

 

According to foreign trade data published by Chile's Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (ODEPA), since 2012, the country's pork exports have increased by 62.5%, going from 169,069 tonnes to 274,732 tonnes in 2021.

 

On the other hand, imports grew by 623.6% in the last decade, from 20,154 tonnes in 2012 to 145,830 tonnes in 2021.

 

Chile's international trade breakdown for pork in 2021 are as followed:

 

    - Chile's export volume in 2021 decreased by 5.1% compared to 2020, from 289,390 tonnes to 274,732 tonnes;

 

    - The value of pork exports in the last year stood at $785 million FOB.

       86.9% of exports went to Asia, with China being the leading destination with 177,328 tonnes;

 

    - The main export items were frozen pork and offal (41%), boneless pork (10.4%), and bone-in cuts of legs and shoulders (10%);

 

As for pork imports, Chilean imports reached 145,830 tonnes last year, up 38.5% compared to 2020 (105,297 tonnes). This is the highest annual volume seen in the last 10 years. Imports were valued at US$423 million CIF.

 

The main suppliers were Brazil (40.6%), the United States (22%) and Germany (21.7%). These three countries accounted for 84.2% of the total share of imports. The main products imported were other frozen pork, as well as frozen boneless pork and loins.

 

- Pig 333 / ODEPA