Figures for July published by HMRC show that UK pork imports were down 3% on the year at 28,800 tonnes, but exports rose sharply with a 23% year-on year increase to 15,000 tonnes.
Germany maintained its position as the most important trade partners on both side of the equation. Imports from that country showed a 10% increase on July 2103, while exports to the fellow EU member state fell by 3%.
Dutch pork imports into the UK were also up by almost a quarter, but a similar reduction in Danish supplies more than offset the increases. Imports from Ireland were down by 6% compared with July 2012.
In contrast, bacon and ham imports increased by 2% on the year. Growth was mainly driven by a 19% rise in Danish supplies. Sausage imports during the month increased by 18% on the year while other processed pig meat imports were almost unchanged.
UK pork exports, on the other hand, rose sharply showing a year-on-year increase of 23%. This is a continuation of the trend of the year to date.Â
Ireland imported 10% more UK pork, but the growth was mainly driven by increased frozen exports to Greater China and from several smaller European markets.
With unit prices up 4%, the value of UK pork exports during the month rose by more than a quarter year on year, to £17.9 million.