The value of these exports fell in line with volume, with average unit prices remaining static overall.

Although the EU remains the largest destination for Dutch pork, its market share has fallen from 80 per cent in the first half of 2015, to 66 per cent during the same period this year.

Decreases in shipments to Germany were particularly significant, with volumes down 20 per cent. Exports were also down to other key European countries, including the UK and Poland, who showed volume decreases of 20 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

The Dutch export market is increasingly growing its non-EU trade and has been capitalising on the currently strong demand for pork from China. Export volumes to China have increased more than five times on the first half of 2015 to 70,000 tonnes. With 17 per cent of the total export market share, China has now overtaken Italy to be the largest individual country market.

Dutch live pig exports were significantly back in the first half of 2016, down 35 per cent to 2.7 million head. Making up 70 per cent of the market, the 28 per cent fall in demand from Germany, compared to the same period last year, was particularly influential.

Import volumes were significantly lower than export volumes between January and June 2016, and were back on the previous year by 20 per cent at 74,000 tonnes. This decrease was largely attributable to the primary supplier Germany reducing shipment volumes by 17 per cent, though a 38 per cent decrease in volumes from the second largest supplier, Belgium, was also significant.