Salted, brined, dried or smoked pork market in Finland

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork in Finland peaked at over 12 400 tons in 2018, supported by consumer trends favoring long-lasting food products such as preserved and dried goods. However, by 2021, volume had fallen to around 9 000 tons, a decline that coincided with the implementation of new EU and national regulations. These included specific naming recommendations for processed meat products and rules governing the use of sodium nitrite in salted ham, which required adjustments from producers and likely created temporary uncertainty in the market.

Despite challenges including a salmonella incident at a major piglet production farm and a hot, dry summer in 2022, which affected overall pork supply, the market for processed pork began recovering from 2022 onward. This recovery continued even as the number of farms in pork production declined by over 10% annually, concentrating output. The rebound was underpinned by steady consumer preference for convenient, long-lasting meat options, which sustained demand for salted and dried pork products.

By 2024, the market stabilized at just under 13 000 tons. National legislation emphasizing animal welfare and traceability, exceeding EU standards, shaped the production environment. The enduring consumer trend toward preserved meats helped maintain market volume, even as broader pork consumption in Finland showed signs of contraction.

Production salted, brined, dried or smoked pork in Finland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Finland's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 53 926 thousand US dollars, which is 7.2% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 9.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 3.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of salted, brined, dried or smoked pork, 2017-2020

In 2020, Finland produced 7 962 tonnes of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork, representing a significant drop of 13.0% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 3.6%.

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

Exports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork from Finland

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 tonne and peaked in 2017, showing a 125-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports from Finland amounted to 16 tonnes, which is 1 407.5% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 92.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand remained the leading buyer of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork from Finland, accounting for 75.4% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 50 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 13.1-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Finland exported 94 thousand US dollars of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork, reflecting a substantial improvement of 10.1% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 92.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 71.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Estonia were the main destinations for exports in value terms, together accounting for 94.5% of total flows. Other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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

Imports salted, brined, dried or smoked pork to Finland

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 627 tonnes and peaked in 2017, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports into Finland amounted to 3 270 tonnes, which is 101.0% higher than the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 55.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands—together absorbed 81.3% of total imports in volume of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork to Finland.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year contraction, cross-border shipments of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork into Finland increased. In 2020, imports came to 21 681 thousand US dollars, marking a gradual rise of 3.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 20 979 thousand US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.2%, averaging an annual decline of 5.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 10.6%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, Poland (35.2% of imports in value terms), Germany (27.1%), and Italy (12.1%) together absorbed 74.5% of total imports in value terms of salted, brined, dried, or smoked pork to Finland, making them the main directions.

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

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