UK pork exports fall in July

Total exports hit 16,400 tonnes, with a drop in value to £22.3m.

Exports to China were down 17% (-575t) in the same month, while trade with Denmark was also notably lower, down 40% (-1,200t) to total 1,800t.

On a more positive note, AHDB Pork said exports to some countries had shown positive changes in trade.

Deliveries to the high-value US market increased 82% in July to total 950t. Meanwhile, shipments to Sweden also recorded strong growth, totalling 800t, a 146% (+477t) increase on the year.

In contrast to the fresh/frozen pork trade, data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reported that offal exports rose by 11% in July compared with the year earlier, totalling 7,000t.

China, the largest market for UK offal exports, commanded a 48% share. Its increased shipments during July were up 32% to total 3,340t. Chinese tariffs on US pig meat products, along with the strengthening of the US dollar against the Yuan in recent months, is likely to have reduced the competitiveness of US products in Chinese markets, said AHDB Pork. Overall, the value of offal to China totalled £3m, a 48% rise compared with July 2017.

During July this year, HMRC reported imports of fresh/frozen pork to be up by 5% (+1,800t) on the year, totalling 38,800t.

Shipments from Germany and Spain both increased significantly, by 47% (+3,000t) and 27% (+800t) respectively. Shipments from Denmark, the largest exporter of pork into the UK, decreased by 10% (-1,300t) during the month to total 12,000t.

Average import prices fell by 13% on year earlier levels in the month to £1.83/kg; this resulted in the value of imports falling by 8% to total £71m.