Pork market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian pork market showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2022. Production value dropped from USD 6.4 billion in 2018 to USD 5.6 billion in 2020, then rebounded to USD 6.8 billion in 2021 before falling again to USD 5.5 billion in 2022. Market size mirrored this trend, declining to USD 7.4 billion in 2020, rising to USD 8.5 billion in 2021, and contracting to USD 7.7 billion in 2022.

Regulatory developments shaped market transparency during the period. The mandatory origin labeling for fresh pork under EU Regulation 1169/2011, effective in 2018, required traceability adjustments across supply chains. In August 2020, a national decree defined precise labeling rules for pork, including minced and mechanically separated meat, aligning with EU standards and affecting market compliance.

Later years brought additional shifts. African Swine Fever (ASF) prompted EU trade restrictions and contributed to lower pork production and higher raw material prices in early 2024. Consumer preferences moved towards white meat and premium ready products, boosting the frozen and chilled segment, while mandatory origin labels were extended to processed pork. Italy's pork imports surged, widening the trade deficit above EUR 1 billion in 2023 despite growth in exports of cured pork products.

Production pork in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pork production in Italy has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the value of pork output reached 5 598 million US dollars, marking a 6.8% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 6 372 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 1.9% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the world's sixth-largest producer of pork.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Production fluctuated dramatically, with a 2.6-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Italy produced 2 343 thousand tonnes of pork, representing a sharp 61.0% reduction from 2019. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 2 267 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 6 007 thousand tonnes. The most substantial increase took place in 2019, surging by 164.9%.

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

Exports pork from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Pork export volumes from Italy have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 91 thousand tonnes, reflecting an 8.5% rise compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports actually decreased by 3%, averaging an annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 78 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 17.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's pork exports in volume terms were relatively diversified. Japan accounted for 12.9% of exports, Hong Kong for 8.3%, and Germany for 6.8%. Together, these three markets represented just 28.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pork exports from Italy have grown for the second year running. In 2020, Italy exported pork worth 233 million US dollars, up 15.1% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 193 million US dollars, which also experienced the most significant decline of 17.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's pork exports in value terms showed a broad distribution across markets. Japan led with 24.6% of export value, followed by China at 8.6% and Germany at 7.3%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for only 40.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports pork to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's pork import volumes have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 877 thousand tonnes, down 8.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 005 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands were the primary sources of Italy's pork imports by volume. Germany accounted for 33.7% of imports, Spain for 16.0%, and the Netherlands for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's pork imports totaled 2 077 million US dollars, showing a substantial decrease of 11.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 5.2%, with an average annual decrease of 1.7%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 2 339 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 10.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands remained Italy's main pork suppliers in value terms. Germany accounted for 34.9% of import value, Spain for 16.9%, and the Netherlands for 15.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 66.7% of total import value.

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

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