Market research

Pork market in the United Kingdom

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The UK pork market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2021, starting at 1.17 million tonnes in 2018, dipping to 1.11 million tonnes in 2020, then recovering to 1.18 million tonnes in 2021. This recovery was driven by increased consumer demand for frozen meat products, with sales of frozen meals rising by 21% compared to 2019 as shoppers sought convenience and longer shelf life.

In 2022, market volume stabilized at 1.17 million tonnes while undergoing structural shifts. Updated labelling rules requiring country-of-origin information and revised shelf-life guidance for chilled pork affected market operations. Concurrently, sales of frozen pork products like sausages and burgers grew significantly, supported by consumer preference for value and advances in freezing technology.

By 2023, the market volume declined to 1.13 million tonnes, returning close to the 2020 level. This adjustment occurred alongside reduced exports and changing import patterns, reflecting a normalization after the earlier surge in frozen meat demand.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in the United Kingdom
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
3. 5.3. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.3.1. Global Production by Country in kind
    1. 5.3.1.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
    2. 5.3.1.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
    3. 5.3.1.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2025, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to the United Kingdom by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production pork in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

The United Kingdom ranked 19th globally in pork production between 2018 and 2021.

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

The United Kingdom's pork production increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 035 K t of pork, marking a modest rise of 5.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 11.7%, with an annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.2%	2.8%	5.2%	3.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports pork from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, the United Kingdom's pork exports declined. In 2021, exports reached 192.8 K t, down 25.7% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 11.5%, representing an annualized decline of 4.0%. The peak was recorded in 2020 at 259.6 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.2%	6.2%	(25.7%)	(4.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, China (35.7% of exports by volume), Germany (13.0%), and Ireland (12.5%) were the largest buyers of UK pork, together accounting for 61.1% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year uptrend, the United Kingdom's pork export volumes declined. In 2021, exports totaled 466 M $ US, a significant drop of 14.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports increased by 19.7%, with an annual growth rate of 6.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 542 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 28.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	28.4%	8.4%	(14.0%)	6.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, China (35.8% of exports by value), Ireland (21.6%), and Germany (8.6%) formed the core markets for UK pork exports, together representing 66.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports pork to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, K t

The United Kingdom's pork imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 335.9 K t, a decrease of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports fell by 26.6%, with an annual decline rate of 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.2%)	(13.3%)	(13.5%)	(9.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 64.8% of total pork imports by volume to the United Kingdom.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's pork import volumes declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 956 M $ US, reflecting a substantial contraction of 16.6% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 16.2%, with an annual decline rate of 5.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 215 M $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	6.5%	(5.7%)	(16.6%)	(5.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2018-2021, Denmark (27.9% of imports by value), Germany (24.8%), and Ireland (10.2%) remained the key sources for pork imports to the United Kingdom, together accounting for 62.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io