Positive with a view to Brexit
British pig exports take a step up
The export of the British pig sector shows an increase of 2017% in 5 to 216.000 tons. This is the highest level since 1998. It can be seen as a positive starting point as Brexit gets closer and closer.
In percentage terms, the value of the exported pork has increased even more than the volume. This increased by 16% to £293,5 million. It is striking that the British exports to China rose slightly, while Chinese imports lost about 25% on balance. Shipments to other Asian markets (such as South Korea), the Philippines and Japan also increased significantly.
Jonathan Eckley, analyst at AHDB Pork (The British Pork Product Board), is pleased with the increase in exports. Despite the fact that Europe is still the main market for British pork, shipments to overseas areas are increasing. According to Eckley, this is a positive signal in view of the approaching Brexit. As of March 2019, the British pig sector can no longer benefit from the trade agreements that the European Union has with many global trading blocs.
Netherlands main bacon supplier
UK pork imports also increased in 2017, by 5% to 460.000 tonnes. The supply from Germany rose by 17% to above 80.000 tons. The Netherlands also shipped 4.000 tons more pork to the United Kingdom, which is an increase of 8%. In terms of pork, the Danes are the main supplier with a volume of almost 170.000 tons. This is 75% more than in 2015.
British bacon imports, on the other hand, fell 9% to 220.000 tonnes, mainly driven by a 37% drop in supplies from Denmark. As a result, the Danes are no longer the main supplier of bacon. That lead is now in the hands of the Netherlands.
Wouter Job
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