Pork market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch pork market volume grew consistently from 844 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 962 thousand tons in 2022. This expansion was supported by rising domestic production, which increased from 1 536 thousand tons to 1 684 thousand tons over the same period, alongside steady import growth.

A sharp contraction followed in 2023, with the market volume falling to 752 thousand tons. This downturn was driven by structural government policies, specifically buyout programs aimed at reducing ammonia emissions, which led to a significant decrease in the national pig herd and a 13% drop in production. High pig prices and feed costs added financial pressure on producers during this period.

Environmental regulations limiting herd expansion remained a key factor into 2024, continuing to constrain supply. Concurrently, consumer preferences increasingly shifted toward pork with higher quality, sustainability, and ethical production standards, influencing market dynamics.

Production pork in the Netherlands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands maintained the 13th position globally in pork production volume.

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

The Netherlands saw its pork production volume rise for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 662 K t of pork, marking a slight increase of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%.

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

Exports pork from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Pork exports from the Netherlands increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 1 045 K t, up 2.1% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 15.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pork exports from the Netherlands were distributed across numerous countries. China (17.5% of exports in kind), Italy (14.4%), and Germany (13.6%) together accounted for 45.5% of total export flows, indicating a diverse market spread.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Pork export values from the Netherlands grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 945 M $ US, representing a moderate increase of 8.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values surged by 36.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 145 M $ US, which saw a slight decline of 0.5%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 26.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, China (16.8% of exports in value terms), Italy (13.5%), and Germany (13.2%) were key buyers of Dutch pork. However, their combined share made up only 43.5% of total export value, while the remaining 56.5% was distributed among many other trading partners.

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

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

Imports pork to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Pork imports into the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 260 K t, reflecting a 4.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 220 K t, which saw a significant decline of 21.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (59.2% of imports in kind), Belgium (19.3%), and France (6.3%) were the primary suppliers of pork to the Netherlands, together constituting 84.8% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Pork import values into the Netherlands rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports registered 702 M $ US, reflecting a strong increase of 10.2% versus the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 564 M $ US, which experienced a decline of 19.8%. The most notable increase was in 2019, with a rise of 12.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany (60.2% of imports in value terms), Belgium (15.8%), and Poland (6.4%) played leading roles in pork imports to the Netherlands, jointly accounting for 82.5% of total import flows.

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

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