Fresh or chilled pork market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the volume of the Czech fresh pork market fluctuated, declining to 414.1 thousand tons in 2019 due to structural inefficiencies in domestic pig farming—a legacy of large-scale Soviet-era operations that reduced competitiveness within the liberalized EU market where prices are set globally. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and consumption patterns, yet the market volume recovered slightly to 419.0 thousand tons.

Market growth resumed from 2021 to 2022, with volume reaching 442.4 thousand tons by 2022. This expansion was supported by amendments to the Significant Market Power Act, which regulated unfair trading practices and improved conditions for producers. Export demand from Slovakia, Poland, and Germany also provided impetus. However, the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in late 2022 introduced volatility into global meat markets, and a decline in the Czech pig herd constrained domestic production growth.

In 2023, the market stabilized at 442.0 thousand tons, essentially unchanged from the previous year. By 2024, volume eased to 437.8 thousand tons, reflecting a mature market phase after earlier fluctuations. In value terms, the market rose significantly over the period, reaching $1.5 billion in 2023, driven by higher prices amid global uncertainties.

Production fresh or chilled pork in Czechia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Czechia's fresh or chilled pork production value has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 581.5 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 4.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 7.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Czechia's fresh or chilled pork production volume rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 216.2 thousand tonnes, up 4.6% from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 206.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the steepest drop of 3.5%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled pork from Czechia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of contraction, fresh or chilled pork exports from Czechia picked up. In 2020, exports totaled 29.3 thousand tonnes, a significant 17.7% increase over the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 24.9 thousand tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovakia dominated Czechia's fresh or chilled pork exports, accounting for 76.6% of the total volume. The remaining exports were distributed among a diverse group of smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Fresh or chilled pork export values from Czechia have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 69.3 million US dollars, up 7.1% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 59.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.4%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019 at 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia remained the top buyer of fresh or chilled pork from Czechia, representing 86.3% of total export value. The rest was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled pork to Czechia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled pork stood at 232.1 thousand tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 4.1%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 1.3%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 243.1 thousand tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 4.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 9.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Spain, and Belgium were the leading suppliers of fresh or chilled pork to Czechia, with shares of 32.7%, 24.4%, and 13.5% of total import volume, respectively. Together, they accounted for 70.7% of all imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Czechia's imports of fresh or chilled pork by value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 626.7 million US dollars, down 4.3% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 7.1%, averaging 2.3% per year. The highest import value was in 2019 at 655.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Spain, and Poland were the largest suppliers of fresh or chilled pork to Czechia by value, with shares of 33.9%, 25.5%, and 12.2%, respectively. Combined, they made up 71.6% of total import value.

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

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