Exports of UK pigmeat increased during May to 21,700 tonnes, up 14% from April. However, pig producers continue to lose more than £30/pig due to the rising costs of feed and labour.
According to the latest data from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), shipments to the EU increased by 2,500 tonnes year-on-year to 11,000 tonnes, which offset continued declines in shipments bound for China.
Despite increasing by 2,000 tonnes between April and May 2022, volumes of exports to China in May were still 18% lower year-on-year at 6,000 tonnes. Shipments to the rest of the world grew 9% to 4,700 tonnes.
Exports of offal also grew by 14% in May year-on-year to 13,600 tonnes. Shipments grew particularly to the Netherlands, Philippines and Dominican Republic, offsetting lower volumes to China and Hong Kong.
Imports on the rise
Imports of pig meat (excluding offal) into the UK increased in May from the previous month. At 66,800 tonnes, volumes were up 10% from April, and up 18% from May 2021.
Import prices to the UK generally strengthened again during the month, although not at the rate seen during March-April. The average price of fresh and frozen pork imports stood at £2.32/kg in May, up from £2.26/kg the month before.
Producers still losing out
The National Pig Association (NPA) has reported that the price of feed and slaughter offset against the price producers can expect for their pigs means that farmers should expect to lose between £31 and £33 per slaughter pig.
It explained: “As the feed ingredient market has eased slightly, with feed wheat prices for November quoted at £270/tonne, compared with £330-350/tonne in May, the cost of production is estimated to be 231p/kg deadweight in July. This is down from 244p/kg in June.
“With SPP prices at 193.09p/kg and APP at 195.47p/kg, this equates to farmers losing between £31 and £33 per slaughter pig.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
