Fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The Lithuanian market for fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts faced sustained pressure from imported products, especially from Poland where lower VAT rates allowed cheaper pork to enter the domestic market, challenging local producers. Concurrently, the African Swine Fever outbreak in Europe and a 63% surge in EU pork exports to China in 2019 drove up procurement prices across the bloc. These forces contributed to a stable market volume of around 12 500 t annually from 2018 to 2020, while market value fluctuated with these price pressures.

Market volume expanded significantly after 2020, reaching over 16 000 t in 2022, supported by rising imports which peaked at 10 654 t in 2023. The market value surged by 32% to USD 40.2 million in 2022 and further by 22% to USD 49.2 million in 2023, indicating substantial price increases. In 2023, major retail chains like Norfa and Rimi cut prices on fresh meat by up to 17% to stimulate demand, with Norfa alone selling about half of all fresh Lithuanian pork at retail, while consumer preferences shifted towards home delivery and a wider product assortment.

The market contracted sharply in 2024 to 10 094 t, a drop of 36%, with value falling to USD 30.1 million. This decline coincided with broader food price inflation where beef and poultry prices rose rapidly while pork prices increased only 1.2%, and African Swine Fever continued to affect European pork prices. Factors noted for 2025 include high gas prices and a strong dollar influencing agricultural input costs.

Production fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's production of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts was valued at 17,267 thousand US dollars, marking an 11.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 16.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 13.4% reduction, while the largest increase was seen in 2020, at 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Lithuania produced 6,355 tonnes of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts, showing a moderate decline of 3.4% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 8.6%, averaging a 3.0% annualized rate of decline. The largest decrease was recorded in 2019 at 6.4%, whereas the biggest increase occurred in 2020, at 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during the period. There was a two-fold variation between the peak in 2021 and the low in 2018. In 2021, Lithuania's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts reached 525 tonnes, representing an 87.0% increase compared to 2020. The most significant decline was observed in 2020, with a 9.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland dominated as the primary market for exports in kind, accounting for 80.8% of total flows, while other countries collectively made up the remaining share.

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

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2021 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of two times. In 2021, Lithuania's export value of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts amounted to 1,287 thousand US dollars, up by 70.9% from 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland accounted for 80.7% of Lithuania's total export value for fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts, with the remaining flows distributed among various smaller partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders and cuts to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Lithuania's import volumes of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts totaled 8,094 tonnes, reflecting a 32.1% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 35.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 10.7%. The largest decline was noted in 2020, with a 1.7% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands were the main sources for imports in kind, with shares of 41.3%, 17.6%, and 11.3%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.3% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Lithuania's cross-border shipments of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts reached a value of 14,281 thousand US dollars, up by 19.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 29.2%, averaging an 8.9% annualized growth rate. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 10.4%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, at 21.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Belgium, and Poland formed the key group of partners for Lithuania's imports in value terms, with shares of 36.3%, 16.3%, and 14.7%, respectively. Collectively, they represented 67.4% of total import flows for fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts.

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

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021