UK exports of pig meat (excluding offal) have risen by 9% year-on-year to 19,800 tonnes across February, according to data from HMRC.
The rise is 1,600 tonnes more than in February, and nearly 2,000 tonnes more than was exported in January.
However, AHDB lead analyst for red meat Duncan Wyatt pointed out that 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.
February’s exports to the EU nearly tripled year-on-year to 11,200 tonnes, likely due in part to the effects of Brexit still being felt at this time last year. Meanwhile,  volumes to China fell by 61% to just 4,200 tonnes.
In January and February combined, total pig meat exports were 37,800 tonnes – 30% more than during the same period a year ago.
UK exports of pork offal were 11,000 tonnes in February, however, were slightly lower (-5%) than last year’s level in the same month.
Imports
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.
“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,” commented Mr Wyatt.
“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.”
