Fresh or chilled pork market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Austrian fresh pork market experienced a notable shift. A long-term decline in per capita consumption, starting from 59.8 kg in 2017, contributed to a reduction in the total market volume to 398.0 thousand tons in 2019. However, the market rebounded to 421.7 thousand tons in 2020. This recovery was supported by the EU-wide mandatory origin labeling regulation for fresh, chilled, and frozen meat, which enhanced transparency, alongside the implementation of higher organic pig farming standards, including mandatory anesthesia for castration, appealing to quality-conscious consumers.

From 2021 onward, the market adapted to sustained regulatory and cost pressures. The definitive ban on fully slatted floors, legislated in 2022, created price and sales pressure for producers, even as transition periods granted planning security for earlier investments. Simultaneously, a strong consumer shift toward pork from higher animal welfare husbandry forms solidified, with the share of 'Level 2' meat reaching 85%. This trend was reinforced by the mandatory origin and husbandry labeling enacted in 2024, requiring clear 'raised in' and 'slaughtered in' information. Rising prices for finishing pigs, consistently above €160 per 100 kg live weight, increased production costs and fostered industry consolidation, while the African swine fever outbreak in Germany in 2022 disrupted import strategies for Austrian companies.

Throughout the period, consumer preferences increasingly favored convenience products like pre-sliced and marinated pork, alongside the dominant tier of animal welfare-labeled meat. These factors, combined with the ongoing adaptation to labeling rules and cost inflation, shaped the market's structure and value, even as per capita consumption of fresh pork remained on a lower trajectory compared to the start of the decade.

Production fresh or chilled pork in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austrian fresh or chilled pork production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 1 089 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of decline, Austria's fresh or chilled pork production rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 387.1 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate improvement of 5.7% over 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.8%, with an average annual decline of 2.3%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 366.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the steepest drop of 7.0%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled pork from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

Austria's fresh or chilled pork exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 78.9 thousand tonnes, reflecting a significant decrease of 16.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 29.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary were the leading destinations for Austria's fresh or chilled pork exports by volume. Italy accounted for 44.8% of exports, Slovenia for 13.9%, and Hungary for 13.2%. Together, these three countries represented 72.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Austria's fresh or chilled pork exports in value terms amounted to 215.6 million US dollars in 2020, down by 16.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 25.5%, with an annualized decline of 9.3%. The only notable increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 0.8%.

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

In value terms, Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary were the principal destinations for Austria's fresh or chilled pork exports from 2017 to 2020. Italy represented 42.9% of export value, Slovenia 15.6%, and Hungary 13.8%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 72.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled pork to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

Austria imported 113.5 thousand tonnes of fresh or chilled pork in 2020, a decrease of 10.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 13.3%, with an annualized decline of 4.6%. The only increase during this period was in 2019, with a rise of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Austria's fresh or chilled pork imports by volume, accounting for 81.8% of total imports. The remaining flows were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's fresh or chilled pork imports in value terms stood at 294.3 million US dollars in 2020, down by 12.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 288.0 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 337.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.1%.

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

In value terms, Germany was the dominant source for Austria's fresh or chilled pork imports from 2017 to 2020, absorbing 82.2% of total import flows. The remainder was spread across numerous smaller partners.

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

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