June 20, 2016

EU pork exports surge 86% in April

EU pork exports continued to show strong growth into April, as shipments increased by 86% compared with the same month last year.

Exports to China from all the main producing member states saw record growth, with shipments more than trebled in April 2016 versus the year earlier. All other Asian markets took more EU pork in April, with shipments to Hong Kong and Vietnam more than double those in April 2015.

Value growth was only slightly behind volume growth, up 68% to €477 million (US$541.24 million) in April versus a year earlier. Unit prices were 10% down from April 2015 levels, with decreases recorded in the unit price for South Korea and the US. However, an increase in the average unit price of 5% in China helped contribute to much of the value growth.

Other pig products also recorded this positive growth trend. Offal exports were up 40% in April compared with the previous year, with the Asian markets providing most of this growth. The value of offal exports grew ahead of volume, up 50% in April, buoyed by the strong unit price in China.

The US, Canada and Brazil increased their export volumes to China substantially year-on-year, as the Chinese authorities have approved more plants. The EU is capitalising on the growing Chinese demand, as are other major global producers, thereby increasing the competition.