Polish pork exports increased 8% in the first quarter of the year after falls last year driven by the import bans imposed by Russia and several Asian markets, following outbreaks of African Swine Fever in the country. A year on from the bans, Polish exports have increased back to levels similar to those in January-March 2013. Exports to non-EU markets were less than half their level in 2013 as Polish pork is excluded from China, Japan and Korea, among others, as well as Russia and its neighbours. Therefore, the increase came from shipments to other EU countries as exporters looked to replace the lost markets. Volumes going to Italy, Germany and Slovakia, the three largest export markets, were up by 22%, 32% and 8% respectively.
Pork imports to Poland were also up in the first quarter of the year, with volumes coming into the country increasing by 9% compared to the same period in 2014.
Live pig imports continued to increase in the first three months of the year. Numbers reached 1.4 million, up 12% on the year.