Pork market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the pork market in Ukraine saw stable supply supported by state-owned enterprises, while government subsidies under programs like 'AgroUkraine-2018' reduced feed costs. The entry of new foreign investors, such as M-Brands International, expanded processing capacities. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily restricted exports, increasing domestic availability, and the 'Warm Pig Farmer' subsidy helped maintain production. These elements, alongside rising energy prices and new biosecurity requirements, contributed to steady growth in market value despite a minor volume dip in 2019.

From 2021, the war in eastern Ukraine reduced production capacities, but state recovery programs and simplified feed imports from the EU supported output. The introduction of a mandatory digital track-and-trace system improved supply chain efficiency. In 2022, conflict-driven demand for frozen and chilled pork, coupled with the launch of new processing facilities like Petro-Provid's plant, pushed volumes upward. However, a 20% VAT on meat products and persistent energy cost hikes drove retail prices significantly higher, accelerating market value growth. By 2023, increased feed subsidies were offset by rising energy and feed import costs, leading to near-stable volumes but continued double-digit value growth.

Production pork in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) produced 7 356 K t of pork, marking a 3.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The only decline during this timeframe occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) saw its pork production value rise for the second year in a row. In 2020, pork output was valued at 21 061 M $ US, representing a 12.1% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 16.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 17 324 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports pork from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, K t

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) experienced a second consecutive year of declining pork exports. In 2020, exports totaled 581 K t, reflecting a 4.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 11%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 3.8%. The peak export volume was reached in 2018 at 654 K t, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 6.6% decrease. The only increase during this period was a modest 0.2% rise in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (9.2% of exports in kind), Italy (9.0%), and the United States (6.3%) were significant buyers of pork from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia). However, their combined share accounted for just 24.5% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 75.5% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) recorded a second consecutive year of growth in pork export value. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 664 M $ US, showing a modest 2.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was observed in 2018 at 1 589 M $ US, which also experienced the largest drop of 7.4%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 reveals that pork export values from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were not heavily concentrated among a few key destinations. The United States (8.6% of exports in value terms), Italy (7.9%), and Germany (6.1%) together accounted for only 22.7% of total export flows.

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 pork to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second year running. In 2020, imports totaled 1 577 K t, indicating a 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 10.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 762 K t, which also saw a slight increase of 0.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany (22.6% of imports in kind), Belgium (15.1%), and Spain (14.8%) remained the primary sources for pork imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), collectively accounting for 52.5% of total import flows.

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

In 2020, Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)'s pork import value reached 3 993 M $ US, reflecting a moderate 9.8% contraction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 11%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The largest increase during this timeframe was a 7.1% rise in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (24.1% of imports in value terms), Spain (17.2%), and Belgium (12.8%) continued to lead as the main suppliers of pork to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia), together representing 54.1% of total import value.

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