France: reduction of live animal exports, increased pork exports

During the first seven months of this year pork production in France has remained rather stable compared to the same period last year, with a slight decrease of 0.4%.

Regarding the drop in live animal exports, the decrease (around -130,000 head) between January and August of 2011 is less so than that of 2010, due to fewer exports, with considerable reductions in exports to the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union, the new member countries and Holland. On the other hand, imports have also seen a 9.9% reduction from January to August of 2011, compared to 2010.

As far as the export of pork, a 3.1% increase was seen in the period between January and August of 2011, although exports to member countries of the EU-15 decreased (- 4.8%), those destined for third party countries and new member countries increased by 16% and 29%, respectively. Pork meat imports saw a slight increase (+ 0.2%).