December 21, 2017

EU pork exports stable in October, highest since March

EU pork exports in October were stable year-on-year at 180,200 tonnes, unlike in previous months.

The figure was 11% higher than the previous month, and represented the highest monthly pork export volume since March, according to AHDB Pork. However, the value of EU pork exports was 7% lower than in October 2016, at €423.6 million (US$502.085 million), due to falling average unit prices.

Exports to China in October returned to growth for the first time since January, reaching 61,300 tonnes, which was 7% above 2016 levels. 

The Japanese market also performed strongly, taking 20% (+5,000 tonnes) more pork than the last year.  Exports to several other markets also expanded year-on-year, including Hong Kong (+1,300 tonnes) the US (+2,700 tonnes) Taiwan (+1,700 tonnes) and the Ivory Coast (1,600 tonnes).

October exports to South Korea fell by over a third to 15,800 tonnes compared with 2016.

EU offal exports performed less well in October, falling by 5% year-on-year to 115,700 tonnes as shipments to China continued to decline. Exports to China, at 60,300 tonnes, were 11% below year-earlier levels, and Hong Kong shipments also declined 4% (-900 tonnes).