Non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in Europe fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 1 030 thousand tons in 2020 before falling to 488 thousand tons by 2023. The sharp decline after 2020 was driven by a broader downturn in the EU pork sector, where production and consumption contracted as consumers increasingly opted for cheaper poultry meat. Stable prices for pork products further reduced demand for pig fat.

Consumer preferences continued to shift towards leaner meat types and poultry, which are perceived as more affordable and easier to prepare. This trend was evident in 2023, when EU pork production and exports fell by approximately 16%, and the market for meat substitutes also expanded, albeit at a slower pace. The growth of alternative protein sources added competitive pressure on traditional meat by-products like pig fat.

By 2024, the pig market in Germany showed signs of stabilization with longer periods of steady prices and a slight rise in pig inventory. However, per capita consumption of pork declined, influenced by higher prices, and consumer preference for poultry and lean meats persisted. Meat production in Germany increased by 1.4% in 2024, primarily due to higher output of young chicken meat, underscoring the ongoing shift away from fatty pork products.

Production non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in Europe

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

Europe's production of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 924 K t, but then surged by 38.4% in 2020 to 1 279 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 13.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 16.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Europe's production value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 162 M $ US, marking a substantial 68.4% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production value expanded by 57.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 066 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 22.5%.

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

Exports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Europe's exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 452.7 K t, but then dropped by 10.5% in 2020 to 405.0 K t. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 19%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The most significant rise occurred in 2019, when exports grew by 32.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's exports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat were distributed across numerous markets. China accounted for 13.6% of exports, the Philippines for 8.0%, and Vietnam for 1.5%, with these three countries together making up just 23.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Europe's export value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 684.5 M $ US, up 8.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 65.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 384.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 7.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 63.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's export value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat was widely dispersed across countries. China accounted for 20.3% of exports, the Philippines for 7.5%, and Japan for 1.9%, with these three countries together forming just 29.8% of total flows, while the remaining 70.2% was spread among many other destinations.

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

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

Imports non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Europe imported 155.7 K t of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat in 2020, a slight decline of 1.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.7%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 15.2% decrease, while imports remained stable in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Chile held the largest share in Europe's imports of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, accounting for 2.5% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe's import value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat amounted to 327.4 M $ US, down 4.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 9.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 308.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest drop of 14.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with an 11.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile and Argentina made the largest contribution to Europe's import value of non-rendered pig fat free of lean meat, together representing 5.5% of total flows.

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

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