Last year, Irish pork products reached 168,000 tonnes, more than double their level in 2009 and up 13% from the previous year.
The growth in last year’s market in particular can be put down to a 9% rise in Irish production with both slaughtering up 6% and heavier weights also contributing. Other factors in play were the expansion of the Irish breeding herd during 2014 and an improved health status.
However, similar figures suggest there will be different trends setting the agenda this year as the Irish sow herd was down 5% in 2015.
This means production may decrease in 2016, according to the AHDB. However, there is a possibility this may not be the case if carcase weights increase further.
Emerging preference for domestic pork in UK
These variables imply that long-term growth in exports could end this year, even if only temporarily.
Around a third of Irish pork exports go to the UK, as well as significant amounts of processed pig meat – 38,000 tonnes last year.
A trend emerging last year showed that pork shipments to the UK grew at a similar rate to other destinations, despite the favourable exchange rate, which may indicate a preference for domestic product in the UK.
Other countries in receipt of Irish pork exports all showed growth, apart from Denmark which decreased from 12,500 to 11,600.
Behind the UK for European countries, Germany was the highest. Meanwhile outside of Europe, China was the biggest market for Irish pork exports, with 33,700 tonnes headed for the Chinese market.
Read more
Watch: Irish brands should have Irish pigmeat - IFA protest
Last year, Irish pork products reached 168,000 tonnes, more than double their level in 2009 and up 13% from the previous year.
The growth in last year’s market in particular can be put down to a 9% rise in Irish production with both slaughtering up 6% and heavier weights also contributing. Other factors in play were the expansion of the Irish breeding herd during 2014 and an improved health status.
However, similar figures suggest there will be different trends setting the agenda this year as the Irish sow herd was down 5% in 2015.
This means production may decrease in 2016, according to the AHDB. However, there is a possibility this may not be the case if carcase weights increase further.
Emerging preference for domestic pork in UK
These variables imply that long-term growth in exports could end this year, even if only temporarily.
Around a third of Irish pork exports go to the UK, as well as significant amounts of processed pig meat – 38,000 tonnes last year.
A trend emerging last year showed that pork shipments to the UK grew at a similar rate to other destinations, despite the favourable exchange rate, which may indicate a preference for domestic product in the UK.
Other countries in receipt of Irish pork exports all showed growth, apart from Denmark which decreased from 12,500 to 11,600.
Behind the UK for European countries, Germany was the highest. Meanwhile outside of Europe, China was the biggest market for Irish pork exports, with 33,700 tonnes headed for the Chinese market.
Read more
Watch: Irish brands should have Irish pigmeat - IFA protest
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