Pork market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish pork market volume grew sharply in 2018, adding 99 thousand tons to reach 322 thousand tons. This surge was largely driven by a significant drop in pork prices due to poor harvests and high feed costs, which boosted consumer demand. At the same time, a marked increase in live piglet exports reduced domestic breeding stock, yet did not prevent the expansion of home consumption. Over the next two years, the market volume fluctuated, dipping in 2019 before recovering in 2020.

By 2021, global price shocks from record‑high U.S. pork prices resonated in Denmark, while live piglet exports continued to climb, supporting production capacity. The market peaked at 404 thousand tons in 2022, a rise fueled primarily by a steep fall in pork exports, especially to China, which redirected more meat to the domestic market. That same year, retailer Netto removed antibiotic‑treated pork from 500 stores following Danish Crown’s decision to supply only antibiotic‑free pork, altering product availability for consumers. Updated organic pig‑farming rules and new reporting requirements for assortment changes also reshaped market conditions.

After the 2022 peak, the market contracted over the following two years, falling to 277 thousand tons in 2024, a level below that seen at the start of the period.

Production pork in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Denmark's pork production value experienced a decline. In 2021, pork output was valued at 3 695 million US dollars, representing a modest 4.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value grew by 17.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. The peak value was reached in 2020 at 3 874 million US dollars, while the most significant annual increase occurred in 2019 at 12.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, Denmark ranked 16th globally in pork production volume.

Top producers of pork, 2018-2021

World map of production of pork, 2018-2021

Denmark's pork production volume grew for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 1 446 thousand metric tons of pork, marking a 7.3% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production volume expanded by 11.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 259 thousand metric tons, which also saw the most substantial annual decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports pork from Denmark

Exports in kind, K t

Denmark's pork export volumes continued their upward trend for the second straight year. In 2021, exports reached 1 191 thousand metric tons, representing a 7.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export volumes grew by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest export level occurred in 2019 at 997 thousand metric tons, which experienced the most significant annual decline of 11.1%. The strongest annual growth was recorded in 2020 at 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, China (22.1% of export volume), Germany (22.1% of export volume), and Poland (10.3% of export volume) formed Denmark's primary pork export markets, collectively accounting for 54.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Denmark's pork export value declined. In 2021, export value amounted to 3 109 million US dollars, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 19%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 6.0%. The highest export value was recorded in 2020 at 3 124 million US dollars, which also saw the most substantial annual increase of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, China (23.1% of export value), Japan (15.9% of export value), and Germany (15.5% of export value) were Denmark's most significant pork export markets by value, together representing 54.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports pork to Denmark

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Denmark's pork import volume reached 66 thousand metric tons, reflecting a 16.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import volumes grew by 38.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The most notable annual decline occurred in 2020 at 3.0%, while the strongest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 23.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany (62.1% of import volume), Poland (12.5% of import volume), and the Netherlands (11.0% of import volume) were Denmark's primary sources of pork imports, collectively accounting for 85.6% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Denmark's pork import value grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 186 million US dollars, representing an 8.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value expanded by 29.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany (62.1% of import value), Poland (10.2% of import value), and the Netherlands (9.4% of import value) were Denmark's main pork import markets by value, together accounting for 81.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021