EU pigmeat exports remained strong in July, finishing 31% up on the year, according to AHDB Pork.
“Sales to China continued to grow, accounting for half of all EU exports,” said AHDB Pork, adding that exports to the country had more than doubled between July 2015 and 2016.
“Shipments to Hong Kong also recorded strong growth, rising 51% on the year, while exports to the Philippines and the United States grew by 11% and 5% respectively.
“Exports to South Korea largely remained at last year’s levels, while shipments to Japan reduced by 2%.”
On the price front, values largely “stood on” from the levels recorded in 2015, allowing the increase in volume to translate into a 30% rise in total value, at €424 million (£363m).
It was a different volume story for offal exports, however, which fell by 3% year-on-year in July. This was despite a 17% growth in sales to China, an increase which was more than offset by reduced shipments to all the other Asian markets, except Japan.
Higher unit prices, however, resulted in a 10% growth in value terms for the month, over July 2015.