UK pigmeat imports and exports record significant drop in January

Volumes of UK imports and exports were both well down in January, the latest trade figures from HMRC show. Total pig meat imports for the UK in January were 3.4%, 2,100 tonnes down on December 2022 at just under 60,000t. More strikingly, January import volumes were down a massive 24.1%, 19,100t, on January 2022. This fall comes at a time of falling UK supplies of pigmeat, but also at a time of rising EU prices. Shipments from the Netherlands and Germany have seen substantial falls, down 51% (11,600t) and 44% (8,100t) from January 2022 levels, likely a result of lower production and therefore reduced supplies available. There has been growth in imports from Denmark, up 1,100t (8%), Ireland up 880t (19%), and Belgium, up 620t (32%). Import volumes for all product categories fell between December and January, with the exception of fresh/frozen pork which recorded a marginal increase, up 1.6% (403t). However, year on year imported volumes of fresh/frozen pork fell by 23.4% (7,600t). ...