The decline in Dutch exports of fresh and frozen pig meat continued in the third quarter of 2012, according to the German meat association, VDF.

For the period January to September 2012, the volume was 516,200 tonnes, down 16.5 per cent compared to the same period of 2011. This was attributed to reduced pork production and a fall in exports of live piglets.

Deliveries to other EU Member States fell by more than 100,000 tonnes or 20 per cent. The greatest volume reductions were to Italy (21,000 tonnes, 19 per cent) and the UK (19,000 tonnes, 31 per cent).

There was a slight increase in exports to third countries of 3,000 tonnes to 103,100 tonnes. The main destinations were Hong Kong and South Korea.