March 1, 2022

UK swine sector in discussions to export pork to Chile and Vietnam

The UK swine sector could see two new export markets in 2022 as discussions are ongoing to secure market access for UK pork to Chile and Vietnam, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reported.

Dr Phil Hadley, AHDB international market development director, said opening the market for UK pork to Chile and Vietnam would provide a boost for the sector, and hopes for announcements to be made on securing both markets this year.

The AHDB said an agreement with Chile could see UK exporters benefit from a 6% import tariff subject to conditions, under a most favoured nation tariff rate.

Chile's pork production remained stagnant in 2021 as imports continued to increase because of high local demand. The AHDB said access to Chile could be worth GBP 20 million (~US$26.8 million; GBP 1 = US$1.34) over the first five years of trade for the UK swine sector.

UK pork exporters could see opportunities in Vietnam as Vietnam's pork consumption exceeds domestic production, which has been devastated by African swine fever outbreaks in 2021. Vietnam has also increased pork imports last year.

The AHDB said discussions are ongoing to expand UK's meat offerings to Mexico to include offal, after gaining market access in September 2021 in a move projected to be worth GBP 50 million (~US$66.9 million) over the first five years of trade for the UK swine sector.

In other markets, UK pork exports to the Philippines increased to 23,400 tonnes between January to November 2021 from 7,000 tonnes in the same period in 2020, while South Korea also increased its UK pork imports by 261% between January to November 2021.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board