Danish pork exports on the rise

Brexit has led to a sharp reduction in the supply of Danish pork to the United Kingdom. China buys noticeably more pork from Denmark than before. Germany remains the most important client. An increase in the number of pigs and a decrease in the export of live meat have led to an increase in the production of pork this year, which is increasingly sold abroad.

This is now supported by figures from the Danish agri-food industry's umbrella organization (Landbrug & Fødevarer, L&F), which show that total exports, including by-products and live animals, increased by 11.2% year-on-year to 550,440 tonnes in the first quarter of 2021. For the first time in a long time, pig exports fell by 8.4%. In contrast, meat exports rose by 17% to around 447,000 tons. Since, with a few exceptions, live pigs are virtually non-existent in third countries, only the EU countries and the United Kingdom were affected by this decline.

The significant increase in pork exports was mainly the result of good business relations with third countries, which increased shipments by 51,500 tons, or 21.5%, to 291,450 tons compared to the same quarter last year. Thus, Denmark sold 86.5% more pork outside the EU than in the general domestic market.

By far the largest third-country buyer was the People's Republic of China; exports increased by about a fifth to 168,930 tons. In second place is the UK. However, Brexit resulted in an 18.9% drop in supplies to 37,590 tons. Compared to the previous year, the decline in sales value was even more pronounced, to 91 million euros. In contrast, sales in South Korea were very strong, up 267% to 6,390 tons, and in the Philippines, where exports tripled to 5,980 tons.

In Europe, Germany remained the most important buyer of Danish pork in the first quarter of 2021. However, total shipments to Germany decreased by 11.5% year-on-year to 101,550 tonnes, of which live pigs accounted for 46%. Poland, on the other hand, posted a 2% increase to 73,860 tonnes as lower live meat exports were offset by increased supplies of cuts. However, in Italy there was an increase. Exports increased by 34.6% to 37,020 tons, and in Romania doubled to 6,740 tons. In addition to increased sales of cuts, more pigs and piglets were exported to Romania.