France exported 10% more pork in H1 2018
According to the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the main importer of French pork in the mentioned period was Italy. In the first half of 2018, exports of pork to Italy increased by a staggering 30% or 12,600 tonnes.
Despite this increase, France's shipments to non-EU member states have witnessed a decline. Trade with China and Hong Kong fell by 12% (-3,200 tonnes) and shipments to the Ivory Coast, which had reached 2,800 tonnes in the first half of 2017, fell back to only 500 tonnes. Shipments to the Philippines also weakened, falling 9% (-900 tonnes) year-on-year.
Bethan Wilkins, analyst at AHDB, said despite relative success in boosting trade within the European market this year, the French pig market has still struggled somewhat this year, compared with the EU market as a whole.
Wilkins explains that the average pork price in France dropped compared to the EU average in the past 12 months. This could reflect the increase in pork shipments of other EU member states to third countries. So, "the French market has been more exposed to plentiful EU supply levels."
The average price of French pork exports was 12% lower year-on-year for January-June, which meant the value of the market was actually 4% below year earlier levels for the period, at $384.2 million.
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