April 24, 2023

UK pork imports decline by over 15,000 tonnes year-on-year in February

The UK imported just under 56,700 tonnes of pork in February 2023, a drop of almost 5,000 tonnes (8%) from levels in January, as imports have decreased by over 15,000 tonnes (21%) since February 2022, UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

At 12,900 tonnes, Denmark was the primary source of imports into the UK in February. However, this is a reduction of 1,800 tonnes (12%) from the total for January. Large drops on the month of 1,300 tonnes and 1,150 tonnes, respectively, were also observed in Germany and Ireland. The imports from Germany and the Netherlands experienced the largest changes over the course of the year, with volume declines of 7,600 tonnes (44%), and 4,800 tonnes (30%), respectively.

The majority of pig meat imported into the UK is still in the form of fresh and frozen pork. They were 23,500 tonnes in February, a decrease of 1,400 tonnes from January. Bacon imports totaled 12,800 tonnes, down 2,600 tonnes from the previous month. Sausage imports, whose volumes saw a smaller decline, totaling 10,800 tonnes, gained some market share. The amount of processed pig meat decreased by only 230 tonnes month-on-month, which was the smallest change.

Pork volumes, both fresh and frozen, are down 26%, or 8,200 tonnes, from February 2022. While processed pig meat and sausages fell by 1,600 tonnes and 1,200 tonnes respectively, bacon saw a similar drop of 4,100 tonnes (24%).

The UK exported 25,000 tonnes of pork in February. This represents a reduction of 1,800 tonnes (7%) from levels in January. Export volumes are down 7,200 tonnes (22%) from February 2022.

In February this year, the UK exported 9,700 tonnes of pork, accounting for 39% of all exports. Although exports to China have decreased by nearly 1,300 tonnes since January, they have increased by nearly 1,500 tonnes (18%) overall. In February 2023, shipments to the EU-27 and the Philippines were 10,400 tonnes and 1,500 tonnes, respectively, respectively, on a monthly and annual basis. Shipments to France, Belgium, and Ireland have seen the biggest drops within the EU.

In February 2023, UK fresh and frozen pork exports came to 10,800 tonnes, down 1,100 tonnes from the previous month and down nearly 40% (7,100 tonnes) year-on-year. 4,800 tonnes, or 42% of the market, of fresh and frozen pork were shipped to the EU-27 in February. Exports of bacon also decreased for the month and the year, totaling 1,100 tonnes. Exports of processed pork decreased from January to February but increased slightly year over year. Volumes of sausages increased slightly month-on-month but lagged compared to February 2022 levels.

With 11,500 tonnes shipped, or 46% of all export volume in February 2023, offal accounted for the largest product category exported by the UK.  In February, 6,150 tonnes of offal were exported to China, which accounted for 53% of the total. With an increase of more than 2,000 tonnes (or 50%) in offal exported to China from February of last year, this market has grown over the past year and now holds 16% of the market.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board