Pork market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish pork market opened the period with strong consumption of 300.7 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by rising consumer preference for pork and a trend towards fresh, frozen, and domestically produced meat. Market volume then declined in 2019, a movement coinciding with reported market balances and price developments for meat that influenced demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reinforced the shift towards Swedish-origin pork, accelerating the reduction in imports and supporting domestic production, which limited the overall market contraction.

After the pandemic's first year, the market stabilized in 2021 as consumption patterns partially normalized, though food price inflation continued to affect consumer demand. In 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine drove up input costs for agriculture, pressuring production expenses, while import restrictions from several non-EU countries due to African swine fever outbreaks in Sweden affected trade conditions. These factors occurred alongside a persistent consumer preference for Swedish meat, contributing to a slight market volume increase to 288.0 thousand tonnes.

By 2023, the pork market volume fell to 272.0 thousand tonnes. This decline aligned with a broader long-term trend where poultry consumption has shown the strongest growth since 1980, gradually influencing meat market segments. Consumer focus on Swedish origin and sustainability remained, but overall pork consumption decreased.

Production pork in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sweden produced 248 thousand tons of pork, marking a modest increase of 2.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 250 thousand tons. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.5%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018, rising by 3.9%.

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

Exports pork from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's pork export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 12 819 tons, representing a year-on-year decrease of 30.1%. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 28%, with an average annual decline of 10.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 18 760 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 5.4% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand emerged as the primary markets for Sweden's pork exports in volume terms. Poland accounted for 35.8% of exports, the Netherlands for 15.0%, and New Zealand for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 63.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Sweden's pork exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 43.6 million US dollars, down by 15.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 19.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 57.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Poland, the Netherlands, and New Zealand remained the main buyers of Swedish pork in value terms. Poland accounted for 48.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 17.4%, and New Zealand for 12.3%. Collectively, these three markets constituted 77.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports pork to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

Sweden's pork import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Sweden imported a total of pork, which was 21.7% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.4%, with an average annual decline of 12.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Denmark, and Poland were the leading sources of pork imports to Sweden in volume terms. Germany accounted for 43.7% of imports, Denmark for 24.9%, and Poland for 14.7%. Together, these three countries made up 83.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Sweden's pork import value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 203.5 million US dollars, reflecting a significant drop of 15.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 31.5%, with an average annual decrease of 11.9%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Germany, Denmark, and Poland were the primary sources of pork imports to Sweden in value terms. Germany accounted for 39.7% of imports, Denmark for 25.7%, and Poland for 17.6%. Combined, these three countries absorbed 83.0% of total import value.

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

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