UK pork trade: Q3 import volumes back despite falling EU prices

UK pig meat exports (including offal) totalled 72,500t in three months of July to September. This was an increase of 4.5% (3,100t) compared to the same time last year. Growth was not consistent across each month, with July and September recording strong year on year improvements, but August was marginally lower. Higher domestic slaughter and pig meat production has been the main driver for larger export volume. Defra data shows that in Q3 2024, UK pig meat production was over 7% high year on year. For the year to date (Jan-Sep), total pig meat exports stood at 221,000t, stable year on year with only a 200t difference. Movement has been mixed across product categories, with volumes of fresh/frozen pork and bacon declining by 3,000t and 2,700t respectively. However, shipments of offal continued to surge, up by 4,400t, nearly catching the record volumes recorded in 2022. Processed pig meat and sausages also continued to make good gains, albeit from a smaller base. All of the UK’s key ...