Pork exports from EU member states to countries outside the EU experienced a significant decline in its early 2000s. EU exports fell by more than 15 percent. Spain (-14.3 percent) and Denmark (-22.9 percent) experienced particularly sharp declines. Dutch exports fell by 11.6 percent.
Data published by the European Commission showed that a total of 760,820 tonnes of pork, including processed products and by-products, were sold to countries outside the EU in January and February. Compared to the first two months of 2022, it decreased by 137 480 tons (-15.3 percent). However, thanks to higher selling prices, the export value was almost 2.07 billion euros. This is 1.5 percent more than in 2022.
China
The decrease was due to shrinking exports to China. Compared to 2022, it decreased by 20,650 tons to 221,380 tons (-8.5 percent). Despite this contraction, China remains the most important buyer of EU pork, accounting for 29.1 percent of total exports. Exports during the reporting period were valued at 496 million euros. The United Kingdom bought 490 million euros. UK pork sales fell by just 1.6 per cent to 138,310 tonnes in the first two months of the year. Exports of EU pork fell significantly, particularly to the Philippines, South Korea and Australia. Exports to these countries were about 1/3 less than in January and February 2022. Exports to the US have halved. Exports to Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia increased by 2.2 per cent, 40.1 per cent and 77.3 per cent respectively.
Reduction by Member States
As far as member countries are concerned, Spanish exports fell by 14.3 percent to 254,460 tonnes. Denmark’s exports were down 22.9 percent to 135,560 tonnes. Dutch pork exports fell to 119,460 tonnes in the first two months. This is 11.6 percent lower than the same period last year. This puts the Netherlands in third place among EU exporters. German exports fell 21.4 percent to 56,725 tonnes. It ranks fourth in the Federal Republic.
