Import volumes of fresh and frozen pork into the Philippines actually fell one per cent in 2014 to 71,400 tonnes but remained 24 per cent above the level seen in 2012.

However, the value of imports rose 13 per cent to 5.1 billion Philippine Pesos (£69 million). Despite the overall fall in volume, there was a large increase in imports from the EU, were 56 per cent higher than the previous year.

Most of this increase came from Germany, which became the largest supplier of pork to the Philippines, with shipments reaching 20,900 tonnes, more than double the amount in 2013. Philippine imports from Spain and France also saw significant gains.

Increased imports to the Philippines from the EU came at the expense of the US and Canada.

High prices caused by the outbreak of PEDv in the US meant that the lower prices in the EU due to the ongoing Russian trade restrictions led to EU pork being more competitive on the global market.

Imports from the US fell to 9,000 tonnes, down by more than half, while imports from Canada, previously the largest supplier of pork to the Philippines fell at a similar rate, to 10,200 tonnes.

While imports of fresh and frozen pork to the Philippines recorded marginal falls, imports of pig offal increased to 139,300 tonnes, up over 60 per cent.

The EU again saw large growth in its exports to the Philippines, with volumes more than doubling, to reach 96,100 tonnes, with many Member States, including the UK, benefitting. Unlike pork, volumes from the US were up slightly, while those from Canada only fell by 20 per cent.

The value of the offal trade exceeded that for pork, nearly doubling to PRP 7.7 billion (£105 million).