UK Q1 pork exports reach highest first quarter level since 2022

UK – UK pig meat exports, including offal, climbed to 87,100 tonnes during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 12% increase from the same period last year and the highest first quarter export volume recorded since 2022, according to data released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Although exports slipped 2% month-on-month in March to 29,700 tonnes, quarterly shipments were still 10% higher than in the previous quarter, driven mainly by stronger demand from the European Union and the Philippines amid continued African Swine Fever (ASF) supply disruptions in several markets.

The European Commission has reported 4,756 ASF cases involving wild boar and domestic pigs across EU member states, while UK shipments to the bloc rose by 5,600 tonnes during the quarter alongside increased volumes to the Philippines of 1,500 tonnes.

Demand from Japan and South Africa also contributed to export growth during the quarter, with shipments to Japan increasing by 1,300 tonnes year-on-year and exports to South Africa rising by 766 tonnes as some importing countries continued to face local supply shortages linked to ASF outbreaks.

Within the EU market, exports to Denmark and Germany increased by 1,300 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes respectively, although this was partly balanced by lower sales to the Netherlands and France.

Fresh and frozen pork drives export growth

Fresh and frozen pork recorded the largest rise among export categories during Q1, increasing 31% year-on-year by 10,200 tonnes as purchases from China, Japan and EU countries expanded during the period.

Exports of fresh and frozen pork to China increased 15% year-on-year by 1,700 tonnes, while shipments to Japan rose by more than 300% or 1,200 tonnes, and exports to EU destinations grew 42% or 6,500 tonnes.

Meanwhile, processed pig meat exports declined 26% year-on-year by 1,100 tonnes following lower shipments to EU markets, while offal exports to China dropped 8% or 1,900 tonnes as the country continued efforts to increase domestic pork production and reduce import reliance.

Offal exports to the Philippines increased 33% during the quarter, while South African purchases rose 385% or 700 tonnes due to domestic supply constraints linked to ASF.

Bacon exports rose 15% year-on-year to 2,900 tonnes, although sausage exports fell 5% to 1,200 tonnes.

Imports remain below last year’s levels

UK pig meat imports, including offal, totalled 173,300 tonnes during Q1 2026, representing a 4% decline compared with the same period in 2025 despite a sharp recovery in German shipments.

Imports from Germany more than doubled during the quarter, increasing 114% year-on-year to 29,500 tonnes after trade restrictions linked to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak disrupted volumes last year, although lower imports from Denmark and the Netherlands offset much of the recovery.

Fresh and frozen pork imports declined 5% year-on-year, while bacon imports fell 10%, with reduced supplies from Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands contributing to the decline despite higher German shipments.

Sausages were the only import category to post growth during the quarter, increasing 3% year-on-year to 35,161 tonnes, with Germany accounting for most of the additional volumes.

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