The value of pigmeat and poultry exports has recorded a 3% decrease to €542 million in 2021. Export Performance and Prospects, 2021/2022, Bord Bia cited lower pricing in international markets as a key reason for this.
Export volumes increased by 3% to 248,000 tonnes in 2021, and market developments in Asia and the UK during the year influenced the pattern of trade. Shipments of Irish pigmeat to Asia accounted for 67% of the total export value at €360 million, a 42% increase on 2020 levels.
Bord Bia highlighted that China is the main market for Irish pigmeat. However, due to a slowdown in demand, other Asian markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, drove most of last year’s growth.
Fall in trade
Bord Bia confirmed that primary poultry exports fell by 15% to €128 million during 2021. This decline was due primarily to a fall in trade with the UK, Ireland’s major market for poultry. Also, the value of the poultry trade to the UK declined by 16% to €74 million last year.
Bord Bia acknowledged that this reflects the sector’s high exposure to the food service market in the UK, which the pandemic “significantly” disrupted during the year. Market access restrictions negatively impacted European poultry exporters last year.
The report stated that progress around re-establishing these trading partnerships will be “critical” towards rebuilding export performance. These developments were also reflected in overall EU poultry exports, which fell by 5% to 2.2 million tonnes in 2021.
The principal markets that reduced import demand from EU suppliers included the Philippines, South Africa, Hong Kong, and the UK. The value of Irish livestock exports increased by 6% to €214 million last year. Bord Bia stated that increased returns from live cattle exports helped offset lower export values for both pigs and sheep.
