Fresh or chilled pork market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German fresh or chilled pork market expanded in volume to 9.7 million tons in 2019, despite a multi-year decline in pig herds that began in 2018. In 2020, volume dipped to 9.2 million tons as the COVID-19 pandemic split demand, increasing household consumption but severely reducing out-of-home dining, while logistics disruptions of more than 10 days revealed systemic supply-chain weaknesses.

A sharp contraction followed from 2021 onward, with market volume plummeting to 5.0 million tons in 2021 and further to 4.2 million tons by 2024. This collapse was triggered by the first outbreak of African Swine Fever in Germany, which led key importers like China, Japan and South Korea to ban German pork, drastically lowering pig prices and reducing export surpluses. Concurrently, per-capita pork consumption continued to fall as consumer preferences shifted steadily toward poultry and meat alternatives.

In value terms, the market dropped to $9.4 billion in 2021 but recovered to $11.3 billion in 2024, supported by the widespread adoption of automation in meat processing and advanced packaging innovations, including smart freshness sensors, which enhanced product integrity and traceability.

Production fresh or chilled pork in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's fresh or chilled pork production was valued at 12 588 million US dollars, marking a gradual year-on-year decline of 5.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 3.1%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 1.1%. The lowest value during this period was recorded in 2018 at 12 357 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 13 277 million US dollars. The most significant increase was observed in 2019, when production rose by 7.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 9 478 thousand metric tons of fresh or chilled pork, reflecting a modest 4.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 954 thousand metric tons, while the highest was in 2019 with 9 890 thousand metric tons. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 10.5%.

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

Exports fresh or chilled pork from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of fresh or chilled pork declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volumes reached 1 051 thousand metric tons, remaining essentially unchanged from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 14.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the leading destination for Germany's fresh or chilled pork exports in volume terms, accounting for 27.9% of total exports. Poland followed with 12.0%, and the Netherlands with 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 51.5% of Germany's total pork export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's fresh or chilled pork exports were valued at 2 900 million US dollars, representing a 4.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values declined by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.1%. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 11.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 with 4.3% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's fresh or chilled pork exports in value terms were distributed across a diverse range of trading partners. Italy accounted for 24.7% of export value, Poland for 12.6%, and the Netherlands for 11.2%. Collectively, these three markets represented 48.5% of Germany's total pork export value during this period.

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

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

Imports fresh or chilled pork to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of fresh or chilled pork declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volumes reached 757 thousand metric tons, showing a substantial 11.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 13.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 895 thousand metric tons, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred that same year with 1.7% growth.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three countries dominated Germany's fresh or chilled pork imports in volume terms: Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Together, these markets accounted for 78.7% of Germany's total pork import volumes during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's fresh or chilled pork imports were valued at 1 592 million US dollars, representing a 10.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values declined by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.9%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 770 million US dollars, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred that same year with 10.2% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium was the largest contributor to Germany's fresh or chilled pork imports in value terms, accounting for 32.3% of total import value. Denmark followed with 30.6%, and the Netherlands with 16.7%. Together, these three countries represented 79.6% of Germany's total pork import value during this period.

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

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