Rendered lard and other pig fat market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for rendered lard and pig fat experienced pronounced volume swings from 2018 to 2024. The domestic market volume fell sharply in 2019, recovered through 2021, then contracted again in 2022 and 2023 before a partial rebound in 2024. These movements were primarily driven by fluctuating export volumes and production levels.

A 42.9% surge in export value in 2019 coincided with a reduced domestic market volume as more product was shipped overseas. Similarly, a steep 51.7% jump in export value in 2023 occurred alongside a rise in physical export volume to 86,100 tonnes, drawing substantial supply away from the local market. The pig fat price also reached a five-year high of $1.14 per kg in 2022, reflecting tight supply conditions during that period.

By 2024, market volume partially recovered to 66,300 tonnes as export volume eased to 79,200 tonnes and production increased to 138,100 tonnes. Throughout the period, no major new market entrants, significant facility launches, or legislative changes were reported, leaving export performance and production shifts as the central market dynamics.

Production rendered lard and pig fat in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of contraction, Germany's production of rendered lard and other pig fat saw an increase in value. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 90.7 million US dollars, but then rebounded in 2020 to 113.5 million US dollars, marking a 25.1% year-over-year growth. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 18.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 11%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of decline, Germany's production of rendered lard and other pig fat increased in volume. In 2019, production hit a low of 145.5 thousand tonnes, but rose to 154.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year. The most significant drop was recorded in 2019 at 12.2%. From 2017 to 2020, total production fell by 8.9%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of -3.1%.

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

Exports rendered lard and pig fat from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Germany's exports of rendered lard and other pig fat in volume terms declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 83,180 tonnes, but then dropped to 65,755 tonnes in 2020, a decrease of 20.9% year-over-year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and Denmark were the top destinations for Germany's exports of rendered lard and other pig fat in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 64.2% of exports, Italy for 12.1%, and Denmark for 7.3%, together making up 83.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany's exports of rendered lard and other pig fat in value terms showed mixed trends. In 2018, exports hit a low of 41,103 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 13.7%. They then surged to a peak of 50,605 thousand US dollars in 2019, marking the largest increase of 23.1%. In 2020, exports decreased to 48,742 thousand US dollars, down 3.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Italy, and France were the leading markets for Germany's exports of rendered lard and other pig fat in value terms. The Netherlands held 63.6% of export value, Italy 12.3%, and France 7.2%, collectively representing 83.1% of total exports.

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

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

Imports rendered lard and pig fat to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of rendered lard and other pig fat in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 11,314 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 31.7%. They then rose to 12,216 tonnes in 2020, up 5.0% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.2%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, Denmark, and Poland were the main suppliers of rendered lard and other pig fat to Germany in volume terms. Austria contributed 43.6% of imports, Denmark 24.6%, and Poland 15.8%, together accounting for 84.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Germany's imports of rendered lard and other pig fat in value terms rose for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports were at their minimum of 6,683 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 33.9%. They then increased to 8,382 thousand US dollars in 2020, a significant uptick of 19.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 17.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Austria, Poland, and Denmark were the primary sources for Germany's imports of rendered lard and other pig fat in value terms. Austria made up 45.3% of import value, Poland 17.1%, and Denmark 16.8%, jointly representing 79.2% of total import flows.

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

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