Global natural casing trade at a stable high level
Hamburg, September 2017 – The natural casing from beef, pork, sheep or other livestock is still highly valued around the world as a sausage casing. An indication of this: the total foreign trade turnover of the German natural casing trade remained stable in the 2016 financial year and, at 840 million euros, was at the previous year's level (2015: 841 million euros).
Both the export (123.203 t; +12%) and the import volume (94.546 t, 2015: +26%) increased in the double-digit percentage range compared to 2015. While the export value (EUR 395 million; +3%) also increased, the import value (EUR 445 million; -3%) fell slightly.
EU countries ahead in terms of sales - third countries now lead in terms of volume
With an export volume of 251 million euros (-4% compared to the previous year), the EU countries were the trading partner with the highest turnover for the global natural casing trade in the reporting year. In comparison, the total export value beyond the European borders was only 144 million euros (+18%).
In terms of export volume, however, third countries (63.534 t; +20%) were able to surpass Europe (59.669 t; +4%). China/Hong Kong (52.822 t; +24%) accounted for the lion's share by far, followed by Brazil (3.525 t; +15%). “The market in the Far East continues to grow strongly. This is once again underlined by these figures," explains Heike Molkenthin, Chairwoman of the Central Association for Natural Casings eV. "Sausage consumption, particularly in China, is steadily increasing."
France with record result
Among European trading partners, France reaches its highest level in five years with 8.857 tons (+6%), consolidating its position in the top three behind the Netherlands (19.467 t; +17%) and Poland (11.465 t; -12% ).
China also import champion
When it comes to imports, by far the largest part of the goods comes from China at 25.185 tons (+17%). The transit countries Netherlands (2 tons; +3%) and Poland (21.018 tons; +12%) come in second and third place.
Germany is Wurstland
As the results show, the demand for natural casings is growing continuously worldwide. This also has to do with the fact that natural casings are an essential part of sausage production. This food is valued in many countries and is increasingly establishing itself outside of Europe, especially in Asia. According to the German Butchers' Association, the per capita consumption of cooked, boiled and raw sausages in Germany has been at an almost constantly high level for 30 years. According to the Federal Statistical Office, more than 2016 million tons of sausage were produced in Germany in 1,5 (+0,4%). There are an estimated 1.500 different varieties. And in Germany, natural casings are mostly used for the casing of the sausage.
German natural casing trade is a key driver in the world market
The Zentralverband Naturdarm eV, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, is therefore looking to the future with confidence. “Even if there can always be fluctuations here and there, growth in the world market will continue in the medium and long term. And the German natural casing trade with its excellent trade relations, its exemplary hygiene standards worldwide and its great innovative strength is a key driver here,” says Heike Molkenthin. The association and its member companies promote this development with many projects. One example is the “Craft Beer meets Craft Wurst” event that took place in Hamburg in the middle of this year. There, food enthusiasts from the craft scene were brought together, topics such as sustainability, quality and transparency were highlighted and the trend towards making sausages yourself was supported. "There is a revival of the original, the 'Back to Nature', and the natural casing is the flagship product par excellence," says Heike Molkenthin. “It does not require any chemical additives and is only preserved with salt. That's it. Pure nature."
