Lard and poultry fats market in Western Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lard and poultry fats in Western Europe contracted slightly from 836 thousand tons in 2018 to 822 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by a sustained reduction in pig herds across the region, caused by rising feed costs and increasingly stringent environmental and animal welfare regulations. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 introduced production uncertainties and led to the implementation of stricter hygiene and biosecurity measures in slaughterhouses, which contributed to market stabilization.

Market volume recovered to 868 thousand tons by 2022. This growth was supported by government support programs initiated in 2021 to finance the transition of livestock farming to higher welfare systems, which helped adjust production structures. Furthermore, a marked shift in consumer preference toward poultry meat as an alternative to pork boosted demand for poultry fats, reflected in increased imports that supplemented domestic supply.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 753 thousand tons. Although pig production showed signs of modest recovery and poultry consumption continued to grow, the sector faced challenges from animal disease outbreaks and trade restrictions. New mandatory origin labeling rules for meat products in the gastronomy sector, introduced in 2023, also began reshaping market transparency and consumer choices.

Production lard and poultry fats in Western 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

Production of lard and poultry fats in Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 978 K t, showing only marginal fluctuations compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 010 K t, which saw a 0.5% increase. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's lard and poultry fats production increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 158 M $ US, representing a moderate 8.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 025 M $ US, which saw a 3.3% decline.

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

Exports lard and poultry fats from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's lard and poultry fats exports increased in volume. In 2020, the region exported 235.8 K t, marking a modest 3.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 228.2 K t, which saw the largest decline of 9.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Spain accounted for 22.6% of Western Europe's lard and poultry fats exports in volume, followed by Italy at 5.3% and the United Kingdom at 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 31.5% of total exports, with the remaining 68.5% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Europe's lard and poultry fats exports increased in value. In 2020, exports reached 279.2 M $ US, showing an uptick of 12.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 4.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 247.5 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the largest buyer of Western Europe's lard and poultry fats in value terms, accounting for 21.7% of exports. The United Kingdom followed with 5.6%, and Italy with 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 32.4% of total export value, while the remaining share was distributed among a broad range of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports lard and poultry fats to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's imports of lard and poultry fats increased in volume. In 2020, imports stood at 80.2 K t, up by 14.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 29.2%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 69.8 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 31.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Western Europe's imports of lard and poultry fats in volume were not concentrated among a few key markets. Denmark accounted for 13.3% of imports, Poland for 6.3%, and Sweden for 3.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 22.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Western Europe's imports of lard and poultry fats increased in value. In 2020, imports reached 92.3 M $ US, which is 3.9% above the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 29.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 10.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 88.8 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 21.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Western Europe's lard and poultry fats imports in value terms. Denmark accounted for 12.2% of imports, Poland for 6.1%, and Sweden for 2.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.2% of total import value, with many smaller partners each accounting for modest individual shares.

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

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