UK export capacity continues to be limited, as domestic production has fallen year on year, according to a recent market report from Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). Exports totalled 27,140 tonnes in October. This is a fall of 1,320 tonnes from 2022, with a near 1,900 tonne fall in offal exports. 

The fall in export volumes from last October mainly came from China, as volumes fell by 590 tonnes. Volumes also fell in key EU trading partners such as Germany, France and Belgium as demand has been easing on the continent. However, export volumes increased from September, up almost 3,500 tonnes (15%), as volumes grew to China by over 2,000 tonnes.

Pig meat imports for October sat at just above 70,000 tonnes, as increases came from imports of bacon, sausages, and fresh/frozen pork. 

Total fresh/frozen pork imports grew by 1,865 tonnes, as bacon imports grew by nearly 1,200 tonnes, and sausages were up 1,100 tonnes from the previous month. 

Imports from the EU continue to be competitive as prices remain lower. On the year, volumes grew in all categories except bacon which saw a 255 tonne decline, fresh/frozen pork saw an increase of 2,180 tonnes as our domestic production has declined and imports are needed to keep up with demand.