Lard and poultry fats market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the Italian market for pig and poultry fats contracted from 176.6 thousand tons to 126.0 thousand tons. This decline was driven by a sustained consolidation in pig farming, with nearly 5,000 farms exiting the sector between 2018 and 2022, and by rising production costs for feed and energy from 2021 onward.

The 2022 outbreak of African Swine Fever further reduced pig herds and slaughter volumes, tightening domestic fat production. Consumer preferences simultaneously shifted toward cheaper meat products and white meat, altering demand patterns. By 2023, the market size recovered slightly to 132.9 thousand tons, supported by lower exports and sustained high pork prices amid continued supply constraints.

Production remained geographically concentrated in Northern Italy, notably in Lombardy, throughout the period. This structural concentration contributed to operational efficiency but did not prevent the overall market contraction influenced by external shocks and changing consumption habits.

Production lard and poultry fats in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of lard and poultry fats.

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

Italy's production of lard and poultry fats declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 165.2 K t, marking a 12.2% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 17%, averaging an annual decline of 6.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of lard and poultry fats production in Italy dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, it was valued at 145.3 M $ US, down 1.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 23.7%, with an average annual rate of decline of 8.6%.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's export volume of lard and poultry fats rose for the third straight year. In 2020, exports totaled 39 282 t, up 17.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 62.5%, averaging an annual increase of 17.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (48.5% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (16.1%), and Spain (11.5%) were the top destinations for Italy's lard and poultry fats exports, together accounting for 76.1% of total export volume.

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, K $ US

The value of Italy's lard and poultry fats exports increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 34 548 K $ US, a sharp rise of 32.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 49.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.3%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, the Netherlands (40.8% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (24.7%), and France (11.2%) were the leading destinations for Italy's lard and poultry fats exports by value, collectively representing 76.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's import volume of lard and poultry fats fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 8 856 t, a modest decline of 5.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 701 t, which saw a 28.0% increase from the previous year. In 2019, imports dropped by 19.6%, the largest decline in the period.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany (24.2% of imports in kind), Switzerland (18.7%), and France (17.4%) were the primary sources for Italy's lard and poultry fats imports, together making up 60.2% of total import volume.

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, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Italy's lard and poultry fats imports was 5 501 K $ US, up 3.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 20.1%, averaging an annual decline of 7.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 322 K $ US, which marked a 34.6% drop from the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 8 137 K $ US, reflecting an 18.2% increase from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (28.7% of imports in value terms), France (22.0%), and Switzerland (14.5%) were the main sources for Italy's lard and poultry fats imports by value, accounting for 65.2% of total import value.

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

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