How Pork Exports by Country Affect the Global Market: A Comprehensive Analysis

Pork is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world, with an estimated global production of 113 million metric tons in 2022. However, not all countries produce enough pork to meet their domestic demand, and some countries have a surplus that they export to other markets. In this article, we will examine the top pork exporters by country, their main destinations, and how they affect the global pork market.

The Top 10 Pork Exporters By Country In 2022

According to the World’s Top Exports website, they were:

Spain: US$5.9 billion (17.6% of total pork exports)
United States of America: $5.4 billion (16.1%)
Germany: $3.8 billion (11.3%)
Canada: $2.9 billion (8.7%)
Denmark: $2.8 billion (8.2%)
Netherlands: $2.7 billion (8.1%)
Brazil: $2.4 billion (7.1%)
Belgium: $1.4 billion (4.2%)
France: $1 billion (3.1%)
Poland: $856.4 million (2.5%)

These 10 countries accounted for 95.2% of global pork exports in 2022, with Spain being the largest exporter for the second consecutive year. The main destinations for these exports were Asia and North America, which together received 89.7% of the total value of pork exports.

Asia

Asia was the largest market for pork exports, with China being the dominant buyer. China imported US$9 billion worth of pork in 2022, accounting for 26.7% of global pork imports. China’s demand for pork was driven by its recovery from the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak that decimated its domestic pig herd in 2018-2019 and caused a severe shortage of pork supply and a surge in prices. To fill the gap, China increased its imports from various sources, especially from the European Union (EU), which supplied 46% of China’s pork imports in 2022. Other major Asian markets for pork exports were Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore.

North America

North America was the second-largest market for pork exports, with Mexico being the main importer. Mexico imported US$1.9 billion worth of pork in 2022, accounting for 5.6% of global pork imports. Mexico’s demand for pork was boosted by its economic recovery, pent-up consumer demand, and a stronger peso that made imports more affordable. The United States was the largest supplier of pork to Mexico, providing 87% of its imports in 2022. Other major North American markets for pork exports were Canada and the United States itself.

The global pork market was affected by several factors in 2022

such as:

The COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the supply chains, logistics, and foodservice sectors in many countries and reduced consumer demand for meat products.
The ASF outbreak, which continued to pose a threat to pig production and trade in several regions, especially in Asia and Africa.
The trade policies and agreements, which influenced the market access and competitiveness of different exporters and importers.
The environmental and animal welfare concerns, which increased consumer awareness and preference for more sustainable and ethical pork products.

These factors created both challenges and opportunities for the top pork exporters by country, as they had to adapt to changing market conditions and consumer preferences.

Pork exports by country played a significant role in the global pork market in 2022, as they reflected the supply and demand dynamics of different regions and countries. The top pork exporters by country were mainly from Europe and North America, while the top importers were mainly from Asia and North America. The global pork market was influenced by various factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the ASF outbreak, the trade policies and agreements, and the environmental and animal welfare concerns.

Pork Exports by Country: Trends and Prospects

Pork is one of the most widely consumed meats in the world, with global production reaching over 100 million metric tons in 2020. However, not all countries produce enough pork to meet their domestic demand, and some countries have a surplus that they export to other markets. In this blog post, we will look at the trends and prospects of pork exports by country, based on the latest data from 2022.

Top Pork Exporters in 2022

According to the World’s Top Exports website, the top 10 pork exporters in 2022 were:

Spain: US$5.9 billion (17.6% of total pork exports)
United States of America: $5.4 billion (16.1%)
Germany: $3.8 billion (11.3%)
Canada: $2.9 billion (8.7%)
Denmark: $2.8 billion (8.2%)
Netherlands: $2.7 billion (8.1%)
Brazil: $2.4 billion (7.1%)
Belgium: $1.4 billion (4.2%)
France: $1 billion (3.1%)
Poland: $856.4 million (2.5%)

These 10 countries accounted for 95.2% of global pork exports in 2022, with Spain being the largest exporter for the second year in a row.

Factors Affecting Pork Exports

Several factors affect the supply and demand of pork in the global market, such as:

African swine fever (ASF)

This is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects pigs and wild boars, causing severe losses in production and trade. ASF has been spreading in Asia and Europe since 2018, leading to a sharp decline in China’s pork output and imports from other countries, especially in 2020 and 2021. However, as China’s domestic production recovers and its import demand wanes, other exporters will face increased competition to find alternative markets.

Trade agreements and tariffs

Trade agreements can facilitate or hinder the access of pork exporters to certain markets, depending on the tariff rates and sanitary requirements imposed by the importing countries. For example, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) provides duty-free access for U.S. pork to Mexico and Canada, two of its major markets. On the other hand, the U.S.-China trade war resulted in higher tariffs on U.S. pork exports to China, giving an advantage to other suppliers like Spain and Brazil.

Consumer preferences and income levels

Consumer preferences and income levels influence the demand for pork in different regions and countries, as well as the type and quality of pork products consumed. For example, Asian consumers tend to prefer fresh or chilled pork over frozen pork, and they also consume more pork variety meats than other regions. Moreover, higher income levels can increase the demand for more expensive cuts of pork or for organic or welfare-certified products.

Future Outlook for Pork Exports

The future outlook for pork exports depends on how these factors evolve in the coming years, as well as on the emergence of new challenges or opportunities for the industry. Some of the possible scenarios are:

Increased diversification of export markets

As China’s import demand declines, pork exporters will need to diversify their export markets to maintain or increase their sales volumes and revenues. This could involve expanding their presence in existing markets like Japan, South Korea, or the Philippines, or exploring new markets like India, Indonesia, or Vietnam. However, this will also require adapting to different consumer preferences, regulatory standards, and competitive pressures in each market.

Increased innovation and differentiation of products

Pork exporters will also need to innovate and differentiate their products to meet the changing needs and expectations of consumers in different markets. This could involve developing new products with added value, such as convenience foods, ready meals, or snacks; or offering products with specific attributes, such as organic, welfare-certified, or traceable. However, this will also require investing in research and development, marketing, and quality assurance.

Increased sustainability and resilience of production systems

Pork exporters will also need to ensure the sustainability and resilience of their production systems to cope with the environmental, social, and economic challenges facing the industry. This could involve adopting best practices for animal health and welfare, biosecurity, environmental management, and social responsibility; or implementing risk management strategies for disease outbreaks, market fluctuations, or trade disruptions. However, this will also require collaborating with stakeholders along the value chain, such as farmers, processors, retailers, and consumers.

Pork exports by country are influenced by various factors that affect the supply and demand of pork in the global market. Pork exporters will need to adapt to these factors and anticipate future trends and challenges to remain competitive and profitable in the industry. By doing so, they can contribute to the food security, economic development, and social welfare of their countries and regions.

References:

https://www.fas.usda.gov/dlp/circular/2006/2006%20Annual/Livestock&Poultry.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20191019121532/http://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/livestock_poultry.pdf

https://www.worldstopexports.com/pork-exports-by-country/
https://www.fas.usda.gov/pork-2021-export-highlights
https://www.statista.com/statistics/237619/export-of-pork-in-2008/
https://blog.bizvibe.com/blog/food-beverages/top-pork-producing-countries

https://www.worldstopexports.com/pork-exports-by-country/
https://www.fas.usda.gov/pork-2021-export-highlights
https://blog.bizvibe.com/blog/food-beverages/top-pork-producing-countries
https://www.statista.com/statistics/237619/export-of-pork-in-2008/