World meat industry news

Traditionally, Denmark has been the leading EU exporter of pork to third country markets. However, in 2015 it was overtaken by both Germany and Spain.

All three countries shipped over 300,000 tonnes of pork outside the EU during the year, accounting for 60 per cent of EU pork exports between them, up from just over half two years before.

Germany and Spain recorded increases in non-EU sales of 23 per cent and 30 per cent respectively during the year, while Danish exports rose by just 4 per cent; overall EU exports were up 11 per cent.

Third country markets accounted for nearly 30 per cent of Spanish and Danish exports but only 20 per cent for Germany.

Overall, just under a quarter of pork exported from the 28 EU Member States was destined for a non-EU market. This share is little changed over the last two years, despite the Russian import ban and other restrictions on sales from countries affected by African Swine Fever, notably Poland.

UK pork accounted for only 3 per cent of all EU exports but among the 10 leading exporters, the UK had the second highest share of its exports leaving the EU, at 31 per cent – only Ireland had a higher share (37 per cent).

Third country sales have driven UK export growth in recent years, with their share of the total rising slowly. With UK and EU pork consumption projected to show little growth in the years ahead, further developing third country export sales will be crucial if production continues to rise.