Pork market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The pork market in Southern Europe saw significant volume fluctuations from 2018 to 2023, starting at 8.4 million tonnes and surging to 12.1 million tonnes in 2019. This sharp rise was primarily driven by the expansion of frozen and chilled meat segments, fueled by growing urban working populations and a 19% increase in online retail, which broadened consumer access to convenient products. After a correction to 8.3 million tonnes in 2020, the market partially recovered to 8.9 million tonnes in 2021, supported by continued automation in processing and sustained demand for value-added, easy-to-prepare pork items.

Market volume then contracted to 7.4 million tonnes in 2022, largely due to reduced domestic production. This decline was linked to ongoing consolidation of pig farms in Italy, where the number of holdings fell by 16% between 2018 and 2022, and to supply chain disruptions that delayed shipments. The downward trend continued to 6.7 million tonnes in 2023, influenced by volatility in global input costs and structural shifts within the industry. By 2024, advancements in cold-chain infrastructure and smart refrigerated packaging aimed at improving product quality and logistics efficiency began to shape the market's foundation.

Production pork in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, pork production in Southern Europe experienced a significant decline. In 2020, the region produced 8 889 thousand metric tons of pork, representing a sharp 26.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually increased by 12.7%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The peak production level was reached in 2019 at 12 149 thousand metric tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 48.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of expansion, the value of pork production in Southern Europe contracted. In 2020, pork output was valued at 30 808 million US dollars, marking a substantial 28.9% decline compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production value still grew by 19.1%, equivalent to a 6.0% compound annual growth rate. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 43 339 million US dollars, which also experienced the most significant annual increase of 60.6%.

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

Exports pork from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Southern Europe's pork exports continued to grow for the second straight year. In 2020, exports reached 1 982 thousand metric tons, reflecting a substantial 29.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports expanded by 49.3%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 14.3%. The export volume remained unchanged in 2018.

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

The export structure for pork from Southern Europe between 2017 and 2020 reveals a diversified partner base. While China accounted for 25.4% of exports by volume, France represented 11.8%, and Japan contributed 6.9%, these three markets combined represented just 44.1% of total exports. The remaining 55.9% was distributed across numerous smaller markets, indicating broad market diversification.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's pork export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported pork worth 6 870 million US dollars, representing a 25.3% year-over-year gain. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 57.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 16.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, France, and Japan emerged as the largest buyers of Southern European pork by value. China accounted for 24.0% of export value, France represented 12.4%, and Japan contributed 10.6%. However, their combined share amounted to just 47.0% of total export value, highlighting the diversified nature of Southern Europe's pork export markets.

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

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

Imports pork to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports into Southern Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume totaled 1 371 thousand metric tons, down 6.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 4.0%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 573 thousand metric tons. The most significant annual decrease occurred in 2019 at 7.2%, while imports saw a modest 1.4% increase in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the primary sources of pork imports into Southern Europe by volume. Germany accounted for 27.2% of imports, the Netherlands represented 17.0%, and France contributed 10.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 54.2% of Southern Europe's pork imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's pork imports were valued at 3 583 million US dollars, representing a significant 10.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value declined by 7.4%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 2.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 4 019 million US dollars, which also saw a 6.5% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France consistently served as the main sources of pork imports into Southern Europe by value. Germany accounted for 27.8% of import value, the Netherlands represented 17.1%, and France contributed 8.3%. Collectively, these three countries supplied 53.2% of Southern Europe's pork import value during this four-year period.

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

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