Prepared or preserved pork and offal market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for prepared pork began the period with a contraction, as production fell from 74.2 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 65.5 thousand tonnes in 2019, while market volume dropped from 184.0 thousand tonnes to 146.5 thousand tonnes. This decline was precipitated by a quality deviation in Norwegian ham that caused significant losses for producers, disrupting supply.

A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with production jumping to 90.9 thousand tonnes and market size soaring to 197.6 thousand tonnes. However, the market subsequently adjusted, and by 2023, production had decreased to 86.3 thousand tonnes. Regulatory intervention played a key role, as authorities held 3 634 tonnes of pork in regulation stock and advised producers to reduce output, compounded by ongoing instability from the COVID-19 pandemic in the pig production sector.

Consumer preferences started to shift notably by 2024, influenced by new Norwegian dietary guidelines that recommend limiting red and processed meat intake, alongside a measured decline in per-person meat consumption. Concurrently, the industry saw increased focus on sustainability, animal welfare, and growth in the organic pork segment.

Production prepared or preserved pork and offal in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved pork and offal, 2017-2020

In 2020, Northern Europe produced 72 005 tons of prepared or preserved pork and offal, marking a moderate 9.9% increase compared to 2019. Production grew by 32.8% between 2017 and 2020, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 11.7%. This was followed by the largest increase in 2018, with production rising 36.7% to reach its peak of 74 156 tons that year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of prepared or preserved pork and offal in Northern Europe was valued at 360.8 million US dollars, representing a 12.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 41.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when value fell by 9.8%. This was followed by the largest increase in 2018, with a 39.1% rise.

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

Exports prepared or preserved pork and offal from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cross-border shipments of prepared or preserved pork and offal from Northern Europe reached 133.5 thousand tons, showing a slight 2.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 8.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 3.3% drop. This was followed by the largest increase in 2018, when exports rose 9.9% to reach their peak of 135.4 thousand tons.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Japan, and the United States were the largest buyers of prepared or preserved pork and offal from Northern Europe in volume terms, though none dominated the market. Germany accounted for 9.7% of exports, Japan for 6.6%, and the United States for 5.2%. Together, these three countries represented 21.5% of total exports, with the remaining 78.5% distributed among a broad range of smaller partners.

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

In 2020, Northern Europe's exports of prepared or preserved pork and offal were valued at 669 million US dollars, indicating a limited 4.7% year-on-year advance. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 15.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 1.3% drop. This was followed by the largest increase in 2018, when export value rose 11.8% to reach its peak.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 7.1% of exports, Japan for 4.4%, and the United States for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 15.8% of total export flows, while the remaining 84.2% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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 prepared or preserved pork and offal to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Prepared or preserved pork and offal deliveries to Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 191.1 thousand tons, which is 9.8% less than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 13.6% drop. This was followed by a slight increase in 2018 of 0.3%, when imports reached their peak of 245.2 thousand tons.

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

The country composition of imports in volume terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Germany accounted for 22.5% of imports, Poland for 21.2%, and Belgium for 3.3%. Together, these three countries formed just 47.1% of total import flows, with the remaining 52.9% split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

The volume of prepared or preserved pork and offal imports to Northern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Northern Europe imported 965 million US dollars worth of these products, reflecting a limited 5.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 10.2% drop. This was followed by a modest increase in 2018 of 2.7%, when import value reached its peak of 1 134 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 21.2% of imports, Poland for 14.3%, and Italy for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 40.7% of total import flows, while a long tail of smaller markets accounted for the remaining 59.3%.

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

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