EU - In spite of several difficulties faced by the EU, pork exports to China rose 111 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year.
According to BPEX's latest Export Bulletin, EU exports rose 9 per cent in total in the first quarter of 2012.
According to a recent report, the French poultry and pig meat industries appear to have been asleep since 2002 and have lost their competitive edge. The main factor obstructing development in these sectors is the environmental challenge.
In Germany, the market situation ranges from a surplus in pig supplies in some areas to shortage of pigs in other regions. Domestic pig meat trade has taken speed and particularly fillets and topsides are in high demand, resulting in regional shortages. It is expected that Russia might resume imports of German fat and bacon articles.
In Switzerland, pork consumption dropped 1.7 per cent last year to 24.9 kg per person. Pork remains the main meat being consumed with close to 50 per cent of total meat consumption. Swiss meat board, Proviande, has been successful in leading development of exports of premium processed pork products such as traditional salamis and dried meats.