Germany reports fall in pork consumption
Pork consumption in Germany was down by 10% last year compared to figures reported in 2018 and it was not only the vegan movement or the flexitarianism trend that accentuated the decline but also a rise in prices for pork products due to increased demand from China.
Germany's pig meat production in 2019 was down about 2% (-117,000 tonnes) on the year before and supplies have become tighter leading to an increase of 80% in prices between March 2019 and the end of the year. At the same time, the country's pig meat shipments to China were up by 61%, accounting for 20% of total pork exports.
The increase in pork prices was also reflected in Germany's exports to other countries in the EU. "These shipments decreased by 7%. The decline was driven by Poland and Italy in particular. At retail level, Italian pork purchases fell by 4% last year", observes Bethan Wilkins, Senior Analyst at AHDB.
Germany is also a major importer and exporter of live pigs. Imports were down 5% at 13.4 million head, with shipments of both weaners and slaughter pigs falling. Live exports were down nearly 25% at 1.9 million head, mainly due to fewer weaner pigs being shipped to Hungary and Romania. Both of these countries are affected by ASF outbreaks.
The campaign is designed to raise awareness and drive preference for New Zealand grass-fed beef a...
These adjustments are due to pressures brought by persistent drought conditions in SA, Victoria a...
"Summer barbecues are a favorite tradition, but they also present unique food safety challenges w...
