Rendered lard and other pig fat market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish rendered lard market volume fell from 92.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 69.2 thousand tons in 2019. This decline was primarily driven by the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak, which constrained raw material supply and forced producers to implement costly biosecurity measures, reducing domestic production. During this period, the market also saw increased concentration among large state-owned and private processors.

Between 2020 and 2022, market volume recovered steadily, reaching 105.6 thousand tons. The expansion was supported by the development of large-scale processing plants, evidenced by rising export volumes, and by growing demand from the industrial segment for technical fats used in non-food applications. However, rising feed and energy costs, which constitute up to 80% of production expenses, began to pressure producers' margins.

From 2023 onward, the market contracted sharply, dropping to 60.9 thousand tons in 2024. This downturn coincided with the implementation of new EU regulations, including stricter acrylamide monitoring in frying fats and changes to carcass classification rules, which increased compliance costs and affected raw material availability. Wholesale price increases during these years reflected sustained supply-demand tension.

Production rendered lard and pig fat in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Poland, the production value of rendered lard and other pig fat reached 65 171 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a solid year-over-year increase of 16.0%. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 17%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 56 192 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 81 885 thousand US dollars. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 31.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Poland produced 72 347 tonnes of rendered lard and other pig fat, showing a slight increase of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 16.8%, averaging an annual decline of 5.9%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 70 812 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 with 92 691 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 23.6%, whereas the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports rendered lard and pig fat from Poland

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Poland's exports of rendered lard and other pig fat declined in 2020. The export volume totaled 11 581 tonnes, down by 5.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 55.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 12 299 tonnes, and the largest increase happened in 2018, surging by 33.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Hungary, and the United Kingdom were the largest buyers of rendered lard and other pig fat from Poland in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 20.4% of exports, Hungary for 16.1%, and the United Kingdom for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 51.8% of Poland's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Poland's export value of rendered lard and other pig fat fell in 2020. Exports amounted to 10 982 thousand US dollars, a substantial reduction of 17.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 21.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 6.6%. The highest value was in 2019 at 13 287 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 32.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, France, and Hungary led Poland's export structure in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 23.6% of exports, France for 19.2%, and Hungary for 14.2%. Combined, these three countries made up 57.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rendered lard and pig fat to Poland

Imports in kind, t

Poland's imports of rendered lard and other pig fat increased for the third year in a row in 2020. Import volume reached 17 836 tonnes, showing a sharp advance of 67.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 185.2%, with an annualized rate of 41.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, Slovakia, and Sweden were the key partners for Poland's imports of rendered lard and other pig fat in volume terms. Germany represented 49.4% of imports, Slovakia 21.6%, and Sweden 14.0%. Together, they accounted for 85.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's import value of rendered lard and other pig fat totaled 7 932 thousand US dollars, which is 39.0% higher than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 85.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Germany, and Sweden formed the main group of destinations for Poland's imports of rendered lard and other pig fat in value terms. Slovakia accounted for 33.5% of imports, Germany for 29.6%, and Sweden for 20.7%. Their combined share was 83.8% of total import flows.

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

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