DUBLIN: Irish pork exports continued to grow into the first half of 2016, up 20% on the year earlier, reaching a total of 96,100t, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Pork.
Figures show that the UK is Ireland’s biggest partner when it comes to pork imports and exports. Just under 30% of Ireland’s total pig production was destined for the UK market, the AHDB says.
Ireland also exports significant amounts of processed products to the UK, with 8,600t of bacon and 4,900t of sausages being shipped to the UK during the first six months of 2016.
Pork shipments to the UK grew by 6% in the first six months of 2016 in comparison to a year earlier, while trade with Germany, which is largely made up of sow carcases as in the UK, was back 18% overall. The increased export level has been assisted by a 5% rise in Irish pork production in the first half of 2016, compared to the same period a year earlier, the AHDB says.
