The volume of pork exported by the European Union (EU) during the first ten months of 2020 exceeded the record volume of pork exported in all of 2019, according to a Jan. 15 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report.
EU pork exports rose based on strong demand from China and sustained production despite the transport, slaughter and export restrictions during the coronavirus crisis and the emergence of new African swine fever (ASF) detections, the report said.
From January to October 2020, EU pork exports to China reached 2.37 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent. The main suppliers to the Chinese market included Spain, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
Since China banned imports from Germany due to the ASF outbreak in wild boars, Denmark has become the second leading EU supplier after Spain.
In addition to the strong demand from China, the EU’s level of pork production was another driver for EU exports, the report noted.
“Despite the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, which led to transport, slaughter and export restrictions, the EU has been able to sustain production levels,” the report said.
During the first ten months of 2020, EU slaughter declined by 0.62%, supported by higher slaughter weights. During the first ten months of 2020, the average weight of hogs slaughtered in the EU increased by 1.04%.
“EU carcass weights have been trending upwards since 2011, but the current increase has also been a result of delayed slaughter (mainly in Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany) as a result of coronavirus logistics challenges,” the report said. “However, a notable reduction of weight was realized in Italy (-5.3%) due to declining demand for charcuterie.”
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