Fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses saw significant shifts between 2018 and 2024. In 2018, the introduction of mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fresh, chilled, or frozen pork under EU Regulation 1337/2013, coupled with the establishment of the National Single Commission for pork cuts to monitor prices, set new transparency standards. These measures, along with ongoing consolidation and specialization in pig farming, supported market growth to 845.1 million US dollars in 2019. However, the market contracted sharply to 636.0 million US dollars in 2020 due to the dual shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and African swine fever, which disrupted supply chains and caused price volatility, despite a surge in pork imports.

Post-pandemic recovery lifted the market to 795.7 million US dollars in 2021, though the sector remained reliant on imported live animals and meat. By 2022, the market expanded further to 930.1 million US dollars, aided by industry-led sustainability efforts such as the Assica Sustainability Program recognized by the European Commission. This growth was tempered in 2023 when the market declined to 837.2 million US dollars, driven by a 7.7% drop in EU-wide pork production and record-high pork prices, even as Italy increased imports of live pigs and fresh pork for consumption.

In 2024, the market partially rebounded to 916.0 million US dollars, despite a 7.5% drop in domestic fresh pork consumption early in the year. A 17% decline in Italian pork production in 2023, primarily due to shortages of imported live animals, constrained supply, though a slight increase in the average carcass weight across the EU—linked to lower feed costs—provided some offset. Throughout the period, regulatory measures like the mandatory origin labeling for processed pork and ongoing audits of carcass classification standards continued to shape market structure, while the exit of smaller pig farms reinforced production concentration.

Production fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's production of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses was valued at 353.3 million US dollars, marking a significant decline of 29.3% compared to the previous year. The lowest value in recent years was recorded in 2018 at 347.6 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 500.0 million US dollars. The most substantial year-over-year increase was observed in 2019, when production surged by 43.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The market displayed considerable volatility over the observed period. From 2018 to 2019, production volumes fluctuated dramatically, with the peak-to-trough amplitude reaching a factor of 21. In 2020, Italy produced 254 thousand metric tons of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses, representing a sharp reduction of 91.4% compared to 2019. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 143 thousand metric tons, while the highest was in 2019 with 2 935 thousand metric tons. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 1,958.4%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of decline, Italy's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses rebounded in 2020. The export volume reached 8.3 thousand metric tons, reflecting a 30.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 6.4 thousand metric tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.0% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Hungary, and China emerged as the primary destinations for Italy's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in volume terms. Germany accounted for 40.3% of exports, Hungary for 11.9%, and China for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 61.3% of Italy's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The export value reached 21.6 million US dollars, showing a dramatic year-over-year gain of 67.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 51.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.9%. The lowest export value was recorded in 2018 at 12.6 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred that same year with an 11.7% drop.

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

In value terms, Germany, Japan, and China were the leading destinations for Italy's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses from 2017 to 2020. Germany accounted for 33.9% of export value, Japan for 13.0%, and China for 12.9%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 59.8% of Italy's total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's import volume of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses reached 132.7 thousand metric tons, declining by 14.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 2.3%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 154.5 thousand metric tons, while the largest increase occurred that same year with a 10.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Belgium formed the main cluster of suppliers for Italy's imports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in volume terms. Germany accounted for 37.2% of imports, France for 32.0%, and Belgium for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 78.5% of Italy's total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's import value of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses reached 304.3 million US dollars, down by 15.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 1.0%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 302.1 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 358.1 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18.5% rise.

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

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Belgium played the leading roles in Italy's imports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.7% of import value, France for 30.9%, and Belgium for 8.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 77.4% of Italy's total import value during these years.

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

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