Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The market for pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Moldova reached over 6 000 t in 2018 before a slight contraction the following year. A sharp decline to 2 496 t occurred in 2020, driven by the implementation of Government Decision HG624/2020, which set new technical requirements for meat specialties including bacon, affecting production methods and commercial practices. Stricter veterinary-sanitary rules originally for smoked fish were extended to meat products, imposing additional constraints on storage and display for distributors.

Market volume began a sustained recovery from 2021, growing to 3 473 t by 2023. This period was characterized by a high dependence on imports, with poultry meat and offal imports making up over 70% of the local meat supply, influencing overall availability and pricing. Concurrently, Moldovan consumers showed increased sensitivity to the quality of frozen and chilled products, which affected purchasing behavior and demand patterns for fat segments.

Ongoing legislative changes regarding the storage and sale of meat and frozen products continued to shape the market environment. Regional developments in the frozen food sector also introduced pricing pressures linked to broader economic and regulatory uncertainties.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

Moldova's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,412 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 68.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 66.8%, with an average annual decline of 30.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4,511 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Moldova in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iceland was the top buyer of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Moldova, accounting for 30.8% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Iceland led in exports by value for pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Moldova, with a share of 17.6%.

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

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

Imports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

Moldova's imports of foreign pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 1,084 tonnes, representing a significant decline of 12.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 16.9%, averaging an annual decrease of 6.0%. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 1,517 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Hungary were the primary sources for Moldova's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in volume. Germany accounted for 50.7%, Poland for 23.8%, and Hungary for 10.9% of imports, together making up 85.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Moldova's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in value terms declined. In 2020, import value reached 1,721 thousand US dollars, which is 3.1% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 25.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,777 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.9%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Germany, Poland, and Hungary remained the main suppliers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Moldova in value terms. Germany held a 51.7% share, Poland 21.9%, and Hungary 11.0%, collectively accounting for 84.6% of total import value.

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

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