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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in Poland expanded significantly from 2018 to 2024, with market volume growing from 492 тыс. т to 616 тыс. т. This growth was driven by increasing domestic production, which rose from 351 тыс. т to 515 тыс. т over the period, while imports and exports both declined steadily.

In 2022, the European Commission's implementation of subsidies for private storage of pork, including carcasses and half-carcasses, helped stabilize the market and supported prices, leading to a 12% increase in carcass prices compared to the previous year. This policy contributed to a rise in the market value despite a slight dip in physical volume. Concurrently, the quality of pork carcasses improved, with the share classified in the highest commercial grades S and E reaching 87.4% in 2022 and further increasing to 87.94% in 2023, reflecting a consumer shift towards premium products.

Market consolidation was evident by 2023, as the number of pig slaughterhouses had decreased by about one-third since 2013, potentially affecting supply chain concentration. The ongoing supervision of the EUROP classification system by the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection ensured standardization and transparency in the market.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's production of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses reached a value of 859.1 million US dollars, marking a 4.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest value in this timeframe was recorded in 2018 at 734.2 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 895.5 million US dollars. The most significant year-on-year increase was observed in 2019, when production surged by 22.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland's production volume of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses continued to rise for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 411.8 thousand metric tons, reflecting a modest increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 17.2%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 350.5 thousand metric tons. That same year saw the smallest decline of 0.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a notable 14.9% growth.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's export volume of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 53.6 thousand metric tons, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 21.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports contracted by 29.7%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 11.1%. The highest export volume during this period was recorded in 2018 at 81.5 thousand metric tons. That year also saw the largest increase, with exports growing by 7.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Slovakia were the leading destinations for Poland's exports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in volume terms. Germany accounted for 59.4% of total exports, followed by Lithuania with 11.0% and Slovakia with 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 80.3% of Poland's total export flows in this category.

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 export value of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 90.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 22.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 28.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 10.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Lithuania, and Slovakia played the dominant roles in Poland's export value for fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses. Germany led with 56.4% of total export value, followed by Lithuania at 12.3% and Slovakia at 12.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 80.8% of Poland's total export flows in value terms.

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 pork carcasses and half-carcasses to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

Poland imported 222.7 thousand metric tons of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in 2020, showing little change compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 222.7 thousand metric tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 12.0% decrease, while the most significant increase was in 2018, when imports rose by 19.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium was the dominant supplier of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses to Poland, accounting for 85.4% of total imports in volume terms. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

Poland's import value of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 395.9 million US dollars, reflecting a measured year-over-year decrease of 7.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value increased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 436.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium remained the primary source for Poland's imports of fresh or chilled pork carcasses and half-carcasses in value terms, capturing 82.6% of total import flows. The remaining share was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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