April 24, 2017

EU pork exports up 5% in February

EU fresh/frozen pork exports in February increased 5% year-on-year to 176,000 tonnes, although January's performance of 187,500 tonnes was not repeated, AHDB Pork reported.

The increase was realized despite falls in volumes shipped to two of the EU's biggest markets. China, the EU's largest market, imported nearly 60,000 tonnes in February, 3% lower year-on-year. Exports to Japan was also down 3% to 27,000 tonnes.

These declines, however, were more than offset by increases in exports to the next two biggest markets. Volumes shipped to South Korea and Hong Kong increased by 31% and 18%, respectively, compared with February 2016.

The volume of exports to other countries also performed well, with the US, Australia and Taiwan all importing more from the EU, according to the pork division of the UK Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board.

In terms of value, EU pork exports increased by over 20% year-on-year in February. Despite the reduction in volume shipped, the value of exports to China and Japan increased due to a rise in unit prices, AHDB Pork said.

Meanwhile, the EU's pork imports decreased in terms of volume by 30% year-on-year in February to 446 tonnes, continuing a long-term downtrend.