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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the physical volume of Poland's market for fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts followed a downward then recovering trajectory. It began at 567 thousand tons in 2018, fell to 510 thousand tons by 2020, saw a modest rebound to 523 thousand tons in 2021, then contracted again to 492 thousand tons in 2022. After stabilizing near 486 thousand tons in 2023, the market volume recovered to 509 thousand tons in 2024.

The notable drop in market volume during 2022 was influenced by external supply-side pressures specific to the pork industry. Sharply higher global prices for key feed ingredients like corn and soy elevated production costs for farmers. Concurrently, the persistent threat and outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) continued to affect pig herds, limiting domestic slaughter and the availability of meat for processing into bone-in cuts. These factors collectively constrained the total supply entering the market.

In value terms, the market told a different story, reaching $1.6 billion in 2023 as higher unit prices offset lower volume. The return to growth in physical volume during 2024, reaching 509 thousand tons, indicates a partial alleviation of the earlier supply constraints that had characterized the market.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, Poland's production of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined. In 2020, output was valued at 970 million US dollars, marking an 8.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 7.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.5%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 1 057 million US dollars, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland's production of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 349.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 7.5% drop compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 406.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 30.3 thousand tonnes, indicating a 20.7% year-over-year decline. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 51.2%, equating to an average annual decrease of 21.3%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 66.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 42.4% and the largest increase in 2018 at 6.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Italy, Spain, and Czechia—collectively accounted for 83.5% of Poland's total exports in volume of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Poland's exports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 63.5 million US dollars, down 24.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 47.2%, with an average annual decline of 19.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 123.9 million US dollars, with the largest drop in 2019 at 32.0% and the largest increase in 2018 at 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Poland's exports in value terms were Italy (63.7% of total value), Spain (9.1%), and Czechia (8.0%). Together, these three countries represented 80.8% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020

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

Imports in kind, K t

Poland's imports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 190.8 thousand tonnes, showing a 7.3% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 2.3%, with an average annual decline of 0.8%. The peak volume was in 2018 at 227.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest drop in 2019 at 9.6% and the largest increase in 2018 at 16.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark (44.3% of import volume), the Netherlands (21.6%), and Germany (17.4%) consistently served as the main sources for Poland's imports, together accounting for 83.3% of total volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Poland's imports of fresh or chilled bone-in pork hams, shoulders, and cuts declined. In 2020, imports were valued at 420.3 million US dollars, down 11.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 474.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Denmark (41.2% of import value), Germany (23.0%), and the Netherlands (19.4%) formed the core group of partners for Poland's imports in value terms, jointly representing 83.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020