Inside Pigs
Six-monthly pork export figures rise sharply
In the first 6 months of the year, European pork exports are again higher than last year, according to Eurostat figures. Exports to China remain the growth driver for total European pork exports.
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From January to June, Europe, together with the United Kingdom, exported 2.555 million tons of pigs. The volume is 15% higher than in the same period last year, when 2.221 million tons were exported.
China as a driving force
The main customer remains by far the Chinese market. China has imported a total of 1.611 million tons of pork, compared to last year, Chinese imports of European pork have grown by as much as 67%. The Chinese share has also increased, last year 43% of the total export quantity went to China. This year the share has grown to no less than 73%.
The other major sales markets have almost all reduced their pork imports. For example, Japan, the second most important sales market, imports almost 20% less pork than last year. The largest decrease takes place in the Philippines, where 60% less is imported respectively.
| Nations | Jan-Jun 2019 | Jan-Jun 2020 | % change |
| China | 965 | 1.611 | + 67 % |
| Japan | 242 | 195 | -19,6% |
| South Korea | 161 | 109 | -32,4% |
| Hong Kong | 108 | 100 | -7,3% |
| Philippines | 138 | 55 | -60,2% |
| USA | 77 | 47 | -38,6% |
| Vietnam | 43 | 47 | + 7,7 % |
| Australia | 58 | 36 | -37,5% |
| Other | 429 | 355 | -17,2% |
| Total | 2.221 | 2.555 | 15% |
Expectation
Considering that China also managed to increase pork imports in July and even a has reached a new record, it is quite possible that growth will continue. However, it should be noted that the new record comes from total Chinese imports and not just those from Europe and the United Kingdom.