Canadian pig meat exports have shown a downward trend across the first ten month of the year, according to the AHDB.
Volumes exported (including offal) across the first ten months of the year were 4% lower than in 2020 at 1.12 million tonnes. The decline had accelerated to a 7% drop by the third quarter, and in October volumes had fallen by nearly 14%.
China temporarily overtook the US to become Canada’s largest export market last year. However these shipments have halved to 244,000 tonnes in 2021, pushing China down into second position.
“Like other global exporters, Canada has felt the effects of lower Chinese demand for imported pork as their domestic production has increased somewhat,” commented AHDB lead analyst Bethan Wilkins.
There was, however, strong growth to the US (+26%), which resumed its position as the dominant market and received 293,000 tonnes. Shipments to Mexico also doubled, totalling 143,000 tonnes and volumes to the Philippines quadrupled, at 107,000 tonnes.
Ms Wilkins added: “Languishing Chinese import demand means global pork exporters are currently facing much competition on alternative markets. Export growth relative to previous highs may remain difficult for most key players to achieve.”
