Traditionally, Denmark has been the leading EU exporter of pork to third country markets. However, in 2015 it was overtaken by both Germany and Spain.
All three countries shipped over 300,000 tonnes of pork outside the EU during the year, accounting for 60% of EU pork exports between them. Germany and Spain recorded increases in non-EU sales of 23% and 30% respectively during the year, while Danish exports rose by just 4%; overall EU exports were up 11%.
Overall, just under a quarter of pork exported from the 28 EU Member States was destined for a non-EU market. This share is little changed over the last two years, despite the Russian import ban and other restrictions on sales from countries affected by African Swine Fever, notably Poland.
Source of EU pork exports to non-EU markets
Source: Eurostat, GTIS
UK pork accounted for only 3% of all EU exports but among the 10 leading exporters, the UK had the second highest share of its exports leaving the EU, at 31% — only Ireland had a higher share (37%). Third country sales have driven UK export growth in recent years, with their share of the total rising slowly. With UK and EU pork consumption projected to show little growth in the years ahead, further developing third country export sales will be crucial if production continues to rise.
AHDB