Pig offal market in Moldova

Earlier Report Observations

The market for pig offal in Moldova experienced a sharp contraction in 2020, with volume dropping to 1 727 t from 4 772 t the previous year. This was primarily driven by a reduction in the swine herd, caused by rising feed and energy costs that made farming less profitable and led to a 10-12% decline in industrial farm inventories. Additionally, African swine fever, first detected in the country in 2016 with outbreaks in 2017 and 2018, continued to constrain domestic production capacity.

Following the low point in 2020, the market stabilized and began a modest recovery, reaching 1 813 t by 2023. This turnaround was supported by sustained imports of pork and edible offal, which covered over 70% of domestic meat consumption. Rising average wages and a shrinking population contributed to higher per capita meat consumption, with pork remaining the preferred type. The launch of the domestic brand MIRA in 2019 signaled some development in local meat processing, though the market remained heavily import-dependent.

Regulatory activity shaped the market environment throughout the period. Government Decision No. 624/2020 established comprehensive hygiene and production requirements for meat and offal. Later, Law No. 213/2022 transposed EU zootechnical rules for breeding animals, including swine, aiming to align local standards with European regulations and potentially improve long-term production efficiency.

Production pig offal in Moldova

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pig offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig offal, 2017-2020

Pig offal production in Moldova has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,412 tonnes, marking a sharp 68.2% drop compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 66.8%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 30.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4,511 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 6.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports pig offal from Moldova

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Moldova exported 71.0 tonnes of pig offal, down 1.4% from the previous year. The maximum volume was 127.2 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 43.4%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 563.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Hong Kong dominated Moldova's pig offal exports in volume, together accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.2-fold difference. In 2020, Moldova exported 336 thousand US dollars worth of pig offal, a modest 3.8% increase from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 491 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 34.0%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 324.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Vietnam and Hong Kong were the main buyers of pig offal from Moldova in value terms, together taking 100.0% of total exports.

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 offal to Moldova

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, pig offal imports into Moldova declined. In 2020, import volume reached 386.4 tonnes, showing a moderate 3.6% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 22.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 401.0 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 18.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania (23.1% of import volume), Spain (21.8%), and Germany (20.5%) were the largest suppliers of pig offal to Moldova, together forming 65.5% of total imports in volume.

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

Following a two-year rise, pig offal imports into Moldova declined. In 2020, import value totalled 2,681 thousand US dollars, which is 3.2% lower year-on-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2,769 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 24.0%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Spain (30.7% of import value), Germany (27.3%), and Romania (14.6%) together accounted for 72.6% of total pig offal imports into Moldova in value terms, making them the primary sources.

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

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