Non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in Eastern Europe showed mixed dynamics between 2018 and 2023. After a slight dip to 320.3 thousand tons in 2019, consumption grew steadily, reaching a peak of 390.4 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was driven by several factors: from 2020, reduced pork imports encouraged domestic meat processing, increasing the supply of pig fat as a by-product. Simultaneously, new regulations limiting the use of vegetable oil-based substitutes in dairy products indirectly boosted demand for animal fats. Geopolitical sanctions and COVID-19 related disruptions further supported local production by restricting imports and altering trade flows in 2021 and 2022. However, the market volume contracted to 357.2 thousand tons in 2023, despite factors such as growing pork demand and modernization by large agriboldings.

Production of non-rendered pig fat increased from 256.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 283.6 thousand tons in 2023, supported by the overall growth of Russia's meat and poultry sector. The presence of large agriboldings with integrated feed production and meat processing capacities, noted already in 2018, provided a stable base for fat output. In 2019 and 2020, rising pork and frozen pork by-product production further contributed to the availability of raw materials for fat extraction. By 2023, major agriboldings were expanding and modernizing their facilities, which helped maintain production levels even as the market volume fluctuated.

Trade flows also evolved, with imports falling from 136.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 107.4 thousand tons in 2024, reflecting the impact of sanctions and a shift toward domestic sourcing. Exports varied, dropping sharply in 2022 before recovering in 2023. In 2024, factors such as continued import restrictions, changing consumer preferences toward leaner meat cuts, and tighter controls on dairy fat composition continued to shape the market for animal fats, including pig fat.

Production non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, 2017-2020

Production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 289 K t, marking a steady increase of 8.4% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 18.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 56.0 K t, a slight decrease of 0.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 59.3 K t, which saw the largest increase of 10.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest decline of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was exported to numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Italy, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia—collectively accounted for just 10.9% of total exports in volume terms.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, exports totaled 73.4 M $ US, down 5.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 41.9%, averaging an annualized growth rate of 12.4%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 77.8 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the distribution of export value was highly diversified. Hong Kong (3.4%), Italy (3.1%), and Vietnam (3.1%) together made up only 9.7% of total exports, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported 102.2 K t, a modest drop of 6.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 26.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During 2017-2020, imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated. Germany (27.1%), Spain (7.8%), and Chile (6.3%) together accounted for only 41.2% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) imported approximately 125.2 M $ US of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in 2020, a decline of 15.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 148.1 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 4.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the import value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) was spread across a wide range of partners. Germany (23.1%), Chile (11.1%), and Spain (9.2%) together represented just 43.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020