According to statistics from the German meat association, VDF, Irish pig meat exports dipped in 2013 but despite the loss of trade with Russia, they increased by 9,100 tonnes for the first half-year of 2014. This is the highest figure since 1997.

The value of those exports was 17 per cent higher than the same period of 2013 at €171 million.

Exports to both the EU and third-countries were higher than for the January to June period of 2013.

Trade with other EU member states was 4,100 tonnes or 10.6 per cent higher at 42,700 tonnes. The top destination was the UK (24,300 tonnes; +5.2 per cent). Germany took just 6,000 tonnes of Irish pig meat over the six-month period, 14.3 per cent less than the year before while Denmark increased its volume from 3,200 to 5,800 tonnes.

In the first half of 2014, Irish pig meat exports for non-EU countries increased by 5,000 tonnes or 21.1 per cent to 28,700 tonnes. Top destination was China, which took 10,700 tonnes (+7.0 per cent), followed by Japan with 6,500 tonnes.