EU pork exports during March were up 19% on a year earlier, reflecting both the size of the immediate hit taken by the industry due to the Russian ban, and the strength of the recovery since then.
BPEX, reporting the figures, also points out that the March 2015 export total, at 139,000 tonnes, is actually the highest March figure in records going back to 2002.
“As in most recent months, strong sales to Asia and Oceania have driven the increase, with China, South Korea and Australia among the major growth markets,” said BPEX, adding that the weak euro has ensured that EU pork remains competitive on these markets as demand strengthens.
“This means that, although prices were 19% lower in US dollar terms (the dollar being the currency of international trade), they were actually 4% up in euros. That meant that the value of exports rose by nearly a quarter year on year, to €319m (£228.5m).”
Offal exports were equally strong in March, with a 29% year-on-year rise, to 106,800 tonnes. China and Korea were again key growth markets, with shipments to the latter more than doubling.