German meat producers have seen an increase in sales to EU countries after Asian countries banned German imports after outbreaks of African swine fever.
Pig prices in Europe fell by around 14% according to Reuters as German products have been essentially trapped within the EU.
“We are seeing expansion but this is not enough to compensate for the losses,” said Andre Vielstaedte, spokesman for Tonnies, Germany’s largest processor.
“The extra supply in the European market is also putting downward pressure on prices for some cuts of pork.
We see more German pork on the European market, leading to an oversupply of popular parts such as bacon, pork chops and tenderloin.
“This is pushing down prices,” said Patrick de Leede, a spokesman for the Dutch association of meat producers.
“For Dutch producers there is some compensation in the form of extra sales to China.
“We certainly see a shift of Dutch pork exports to China, but it is mainly export of parts of the pigs which are popular over there, but not here: Such as heads, legs and tails.”
Daniel de Miguel, director of business association INTERPORC’s international arm, said Spanish exports to China had already been rising sharply before the ban on German imports.
Between January and July, Spain exported 662,261t of pork to China, roughly double 2019 levels.
“We’re seeing stability in the market and in the production of Spanish pork at this time. The price of pork has flexed slightly, but it’s being supported mainly thanks to increased import demand from China,” he said.
