June 29, 2017

EU pig meat exports to China sharply decline in April

The EU's total pig meat exports, including offal, to all third countries (non-member states) fell 4% year-on-year during the first four months, AHDB Pork said, citing the latest figures from Eurostat.

Trade with China, which accounted for nearly 40% of the total, fell 18% in the same period, as shipments in April sharply declined—volumes dropped to half of the year-earlier level. Shipments to other markets in April were down more benignly, by 6%.

For the January-April period, EU trade with the Philippines experienced a much smaller fall of 3%. However, shipments to Japan and South Korea increased year-on-year, by 6% and 30%, respectively. Exports of pig meat to Hong Kong were virtually unchanged, up less than 1%.

EU exports of fresh/frozen pork were 3% down on the year during the same period. Yet of the major markets, shipments to South Korea increased by a quarter followed by Hong Kong, which was up 14%. Exports to the US were also up, by 11%, while the Philippines showed a modest growth of 4% and Japan increased by less than 1%. In contrast, shipments to China were down by 21%.