EU '08 pork exports sets new record

EU exports of pork, including by-products and live export in 2008 have reached a new record with 2.6 million tonnes, up 34 percent as compared to 2007.

The quantitatively most important foreign customers were Russia importing 764,000 tonnes, 454,000 tonnes to Hong Kong, followed by 236,000 tonnes to Japan and 146,000 tonnes to China.

The sale however was dampened since November last year due to the financial crisis. Before that period export subsidies and a rising international demand provided for well-filled order books.

The largest third country markets in the EU are by far Denmark and Germany. Germany was able to increase its third country exports with 58 percent to more than 500,000 tonnes and step on the tail of leading exporter Denmark.