UK pork exports see upward trend in February
According to figures from HMRC, the UK exported 19,800 tonnes of pig meat (excluding offal) in February 2022; 9% (1,600 tonnes) more than in February 2021.
A report by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has found that nearly 2,000 tonnes more pigmeat was exported in February than in January this year. However, the unit price of these exports was only £1.62/kg, nearly 30p lower than in the same month last year, reflecting the difficult trading conditions at that time.
UK exports of pork offal were 11,000 tonnes in February, slightly lower (-5%) than last year’s level in the same month.
February’s exports to the EU nearly tripled year-on-year to 11,200 tonnes. Over the same period, volumes to China fell by 61% to just 4,200 tonnes. In January and February 2022 together, total pig meat exports were 37,800 tonnes. This is 30% more than during the same period a year ago.
Imports remain high
UK imports of pig meat were 71,700 tonnes in February, lower than in January, but 41% higher than in the same month last year. AHDB reports that at this time the EU market was still relatively well supplied with pigs, but very soon afterwards went significantly shorter, and so prices there have risen sharply.
According to the Development Board, the UK itself is also expected to go shorter later in the year too, as the effect of falling sow numbers reduces the number of clean pigs available.
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