Lard and poultry fats market in Southern Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lard and poultry fats in Southern Europe expanded from 240.7 thous. t in 2018 to 268.6 thous. t in 2020, reaching its peak during this period.

A sustained contraction followed from 2021, with the market falling to 222.3 thous. t by 2023. This decline was driven primarily by supply constraints: repeated avian influenza outbreaks led to mass poultry culls, reducing poultry fat production, while a 16% reduction in the number of Italian pig farms between 2018 and 2022 limited lard output. The Russia-Ukraine war further pressured costs by disrupting corn and wheat supplies for animal feed. In 2023, European pork production fell 7.7% year-on-year, tightening lard availability further.

Offsetting these pressures, underlying demand factors provided some market support. Global investment in poultry fat processing plants for biofuel and feed applications rose 38% from 2021, and consumer interest in low-carb, high-fat diets like keto and paleo bolstered edible animal fat consumption. However, these positive drivers were insufficient to counter the acute supply shocks.

Production lard and poultry fats in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lard and poultry fats, 2017-2020

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

Southern Europe's production of lard and poultry fats has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, the region produced 233.8 thousand tons, but this dropped by 9.7% to 233.8 thousand tons in 2020. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Southern Europe's production of lard and poultry fats saw an increase in value. In 2019, the output was valued at 214.8 million US dollars, rising by 14.0% to 244.9 million US dollars in 2020. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with an 8.1% decrease.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Southern Europe's exports of lard and poultry fats in volume terms have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were at 57 614 tons, but they contracted sharply by 30.7% to 57 614 tons in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 37.1%, averaging an annual decline of 14.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 100 492 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France were the top contributors to Southern Europe's exports in volume. The Netherlands accounted for 56.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 5.9%, and France for 3.8%, together making up 66.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's exports of lard and poultry fats in value terms have declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports amounted to 60 368 thousand US dollars, but they fell by 12.6% to 60 368 thousand US dollars in 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 29.7%, with an average annual decrease of 11.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 88 751 thousand US dollars, which also saw a 3.4% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 22.2% drop.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France were the leading contributors to Southern Europe's exports in value. The Netherlands made up 47.2% of exports, the United Kingdom 8.7%, and France 4.4%, collectively accounting for 60.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's imports of lard and poultry fats in volume have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2019, imports were at 92 436 tons, and they grew by 7.9% to 92 436 tons in 2020. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 22.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Germany, and Romania were the key markets for Southern Europe's imports in volume, together accounting for 68.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of reduction, Southern Europe's imports of lard and poultry fats in value increased. In 2019, imports totaled 59 762 thousand US dollars, and they surged by 26.0% to 75 305 thousand US dollars in 2020. The largest decline was in 2018, with a 20.4% drop.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Germany, and Romania dominated Southern Europe's imports in value, making up 67.4% of total import flows.

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

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