EU imports of fresh and frozen pig meat from the UK for September totalled 14,100 tonnes, up 1,150 tonnes (8.9%) on August, according to AHDB analyst Charlotte Forkes-Rees, highlighting the importance of trade between the two regions. When compared with last September, imports were up 979 tonnes (7.5%).

Between January and September, there has been 127,300 tonnes of fresh and frozen pig meat imported by the EU. This is 27,500 tonnes (27.6%) up on the same period last year.

Increases in imports to the EU were seen across all pig meat products, with bacon seeing the largest percentage growth on a year-to-date basis, up by 44.2% (2,400 tonnes) to 7,800 tonnes. Pork (fresh and frozen) increased by 34.7% to 67,200 tonnes and remains the largest category for imports. Offal imports have risen steadily over the last three years, and currently sit at 37,100 tonnes imported in the year-to-date.

The UK is a significant contributor to the EU market and in the year-to-date has accounted for 81.2% of the market share, supplying the EU with 103,300 tonnes. For reference, Switzerland is the next largest supplier and in the year-to-date has supplied the EU with less than 9,000 tonnes of pig meat.

Increases were seen across all categories of fresh and frozen pork imported from the UK with the uplift in imports accounting for almost the entirety of the increased EU imports seen year-to-date. Research by Aston University indicated that Brexit legislation impacted trade in early 2021, when monthly imports from the UK dropped considerably, however the market continues to return towards earlier trading trends in a year-on-year uplift, albeit at a slight decrease compared with 2020.