Pork market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The pork market in Finland began a multi-year decline after 2018, when it reached 106.6 thousand tonnes. Regulatory changes in 2019 introduced mandatory origin labeling for fresh pork in restaurants and retail, altering packaging and information requirements. The following year, production was hit by a major salmonella outbreak at a large pig farm and extreme summer heat that reduced livestock growth, cutting domestic availability and pushing market volume down to 86.4 thousand tonnes.

Export pressure emerged in 2021 as growing Chinese demand for pork led to increased shipments from Finland, tightening domestic supply. Concurrently, consumer behavior shifted: rising meat prices in 2022 drove households toward cheaper protein sources, stabilizing per-capita consumption but reducing overall pork volume. Broader implementation of EU origin-labeling rules further influenced packaging and sales practices during this period.

Market contraction continued through 2023 and 2024, with volume falling to 63.6 thousand tonnes. Production and imports both trended downward, reflecting a sustained reduction in Finland's pork market size over the seven-year span.

Production pork in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Finland's pork production value rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, pork output reached 418.9 million US dollars, marking a 10.2% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 380.1 million US dollars, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 4.2% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Finland's pork production volume recovered following a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 107.7 thousand tons of pork, representing a 7.1% improvement compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 40.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 16.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 100.6 thousand tons, with the steepest drop occurring in 2018 at 43.0%.

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

Exports pork from Finland

Exports in kind, t

Finland's pork exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 37 268 tons of pork, showing a sharp 34.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 50.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 14.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 17 578 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 29.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 57.9% jump.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, New Zealand, and South Korea formed the primary export markets for Finland's pork in volume terms. China accounted for 28.7% of exports, New Zealand for 16.7%, and South Korea for 16.0%. Together, these three markets represented 61.4% of Finland's total pork export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Finland's pork export value continued to rise for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 112.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 34.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 66.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 18.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 51.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 23.4%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019 with a 61.5% surge.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China, South Korea, and New Zealand constituted the core markets for Finland's pork exports in value terms. China held a 24.5% share, South Korea 19.4%, and New Zealand 19.2%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 63.1% of Finland's total pork export value.

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

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

Imports pork to Finland

Imports in kind, t

Finland's pork import volume declined after two years of growth. In 2020, imports fell by 25.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume decreased by 17.5%, with an average annual decline of 6.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 419 tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 7.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the dominant source for Finland's pork imports in volume terms, accounting for 75.3% of total import flows. The remaining imports were distributed across various other markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Finland's pork import value decreased after two years of growth. In 2020, imports stood at 53.5 million US dollars, representing a 22.9% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 15.3%, with an average annual decrease of 5.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 69.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany was the central partner for Finland's pork imports in value terms, holding a 76.3% share of total import flows. Other markets played a more limited role in Finland's import structure.

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

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