Pork market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the pork market in Northern Europe experienced moderate shifts in volume but steady value growth. Regional substitution towards pork mince supported consumption in 2018, while rising input costs drove up meat prices in 2019, increasing the market value despite a slight volume dip. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted production and distribution in 2020, reducing the physical market size to 2.28 million tonnes, but inflationary pressures kept the value above $6.6 billion.

A post-pandemic rebound in 2021 lifted market volume to 2.47 million tonnes as consumption patterns normalized and imports rose. However, high food-price inflation in 2022 dampened demand, and new EU origin-labeling rules for meat added regulatory complexity. The detection of African swine fever in Sweden in 2023 triggered export restrictions from several non-EU countries, contributing to a drop in production and a decline in market volume to 2.34 million tonnes. Soaring input costs nevertheless pushed the market value to a record $8.1 billion.

Entering 2024, market regulators called for reduced pig breeding and lighter slaughter weights to rebalance supply, while continued imports helped meet domestic needs. Stockpiling of pork and beef led to price adjustments, and the full implementation of EU origin-labeling rules for fresh and frozen meat further shaped the market landscape.

Production pork in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Europe produced 3 269 K t of pork, representing a 5.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest production level was observed in 2019 at 3 112 K t, while the most significant decrease occurred that same year, with a decline of 0.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pork production in Northern Europe continued to expand for the second year in a row. In 2020, the value of pork output reached 9 004 M $ US, marking a 7.2% rise from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 14.1%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 695 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%. Conversely, the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 9.2%.

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

Exports pork from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year downturn, pork exports from Northern Europe rebounded. In 2020, export volumes totaled 1 610 K t, reflecting a modest increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 473 K t, which also experienced the most significant decline of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Poland were key buyers of pork from Northern Europe, accounting for 20.8%, 20.1%, and 8.3% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share of 49.2% indicates that no single market dominated the export landscape.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pork exports from Northern Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export value reached 4 435 M $ US, showing an 11.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 16.8%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 673 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the buyer portfolio for pork exports from Northern Europe was diverse. China, Germany, and Japan accounted for 19.5%, 14.8%, and 13.1% of exports in value terms, respectively. Together, they contributed 47.3% of total export value, while numerous other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports pork to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports into Northern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 620 K t, reflecting a substantial decrease of 11.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 10.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 717 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated pork imports into Northern Europe. Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands accounted for 25.7%, 8.5%, and 8.3% of imports in kind, respectively. Their combined share of 42.5% highlights a fragmented import structure, with many smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe imported pork worth 2 048 M $ US, marking a gradual decline of 3.3% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 3.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 024 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.6%. In contrast, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 4.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, pork imports into Northern Europe in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Germany, Poland, and Spain accounted for 27.5%, 9.2%, and 8.1% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they represented only 44.7% of total import flows, indicating a broad distribution across multiple markets.

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

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