Inside Pigs
Pork export produces fatty sausage
Europe scores significantly higher in global pork export figures for 2019. Much has changed compared to 2018. This is directly linked to the problems China still faces.
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In total, the EU exported 4,7 million tonnes of pork products last year (calculated on a carcass weight basis). That is an increase of more than 20% compared to 2018. Just over half was exported to China. On balance, sales to this country increased by no less than 78% to 2,4 million tons. Of these, more than 300.000 came from the Netherlands
The significant increase is a result of the outbreaks of African swine fever in the country, which almost halved the country's pig herd. The export value to China increased by 166% to € 4,8 billion, according to figures from the European Commission. Of this amount, €643 million was realized by Dutch parties
Japan and South Korea
After China, Japan is the most important sales market for European pork. Sales remained virtually the same at 456.000 tons, which is worth €1,5 billion. South Korea follows in 3rd place with 266.000 tons. This is considerably less (-22%) compared to 2018. The underlying value therefore shrank by almost €100 million to €710 million.
On balance, the European export value increased by 41% to €10,2 billion. The Netherlands sold €1,2 billion worth of pork outside the EU. For the first time in history, more than €1 billion worth of Dutch pork was sold on the world market in one year.
Dutch pig farmers benefited greatly from the increase. In 2019, they achieved an average income of €257.000 per unpaid annual work unit, according to the income estimate from Wageningen Economic Research (WUR).