UK pig meat exports strengthen

Jonathan Eckley, International Trade Development Director, summarises the export landscape for British pork during the first half of this year and explains how relationships and collaboration remain critical.

The first half of this year highlighted the importance of international markets for the UK pig sector, with export volumes climbing despite a challenging global market.

UK pig meat exports rose by 5.3% in volume terms compared with the same period last year, totalling around 157,000 tonnes. At the same time, pig meat imports fell by 4% in volume and 7% in value, reflecting tighter availability across Europe and a focus on home-produced supply.

This positive momentum was also clear at Anuga, the world’s largest food and drink trade show, in October. UK exporters showcased pork alongside other quality British meats on the AHDB pavillion.

And as I told guests at the British Meat Dinner, events like Anuga are the culmination of months of planning and represent the cornerstone of our international marketing activity. They provide vital platforms to strengthen relationships with both existing and potential new customers while helping open doors to new markets.

Offal has been a standout performer so far this year.

Exports reached record highs in the first six months, reflecting the value of maximising the whole carcase and meeting demand from markets where these products are highly prized.

This not only supports returns throughout the supply chain but also underlines the adaptability and competitiveness of the UK industry.

The global appetite for British pork remains strong and shipments to China, the UK’s leading export destination, remain significant. Closer to home, exports to EU partners have held firm despite a challenging trading environment, demonstrating the resilience of our exporters and the recognition of UK pork as a high-quality product.

The international business is all about relationships, and nowhere is that clearer than in the growth of our pig meat trade. Our work at AHDB is built around collaboration, and the progress we are seeing is the result of strong partnerships between levy payers, industry organisations, the Government and our Export team.

Over the winter months, we’ll be heading to Africa, the USA, China, Japan and the Philippines. Each of these trips offer opportunities to build on the positive trends we have seen in the first half of the year.

The fall in UK imports also deserves attention. Volumes were down to around 371,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025, reflecting reduced supplies from major EU producers such as Denmark and Germany.

While this has created opportunities for British pork on the home market, it also highlights the interconnectedness of international trade flows and the importance of maintaining diverse export outlets for our own production.

As we move into the next phase of our business planning, our focus will remain on supporting UK exporters in capturing value, maintaining our reputation as a supplier of safe, trusted, high-quality pork and pig meat products, and ensuring the sector is well positioned to meet both opportunities and challenges in the global marketplace.

By working together, we can build on this momentum and make sure that British pork continues to be enjoyed around the world.