Overall volumes were 18 per cent higher than in September 2014, at 166,300 tonnes, a figure bettered only by last October. China alone took over 60,000 tonnes of EU pork, a fourth consecutive record and nearly 13,000 tonnes up on August’s figure. This represented 37 per cent of exports, nearly double China’s share a year before.

Excluding China, exports to all other markets were 8 per cent lower than in September 2014, emphasising the importance of Chinese demand at present.

Unlike most recent months, exports to Japan also increased, by 4 per cent year on year, but other leading Asian markets took less EU pork. With unit prices remaining lower than a year ago, the value of exports was only up 12 per cent on the year, at €368.8 million.

China was also the main driver of a 9 per cent annual increase in EU pig offal exports in September. Sales to China were up 28 per cent to a record 56,100 tonnes, partly offset by lower shipments to Hong Kong and the Philippines. With unit prices again slightly lower, the value of offal exports was 6 per cent up on September 2014 at €133.6 million.