European pig slaughter grows strongly in price crisis

In the first half of last year, slaughter figures were somewhat lower due to limited slaughter capacity due to corona. This has somewhat flattered the increase. However, the supply in the first half of 2021 was also well above the level of 2019, the last year without the disruptive influence of corona on slaughter figures. Despite the distorted increase compared to 2020, there certainly appears to be a structurally increasing European supply. The full European meat market about which slaughterhouses are complaining seems to be supported by the figures.

Millions of additional pigs slaughtered
The total number of pig slaughters in the first 6 months amounted to 124.170.000 pigs. That was 4.310.000 slaughters more than a year earlier (+3,6%). Compared to the first half of 2019, the number of slaughters was higher by 2.330.000 heads. That is an increase of 1,9%.

Pig superpower Spain managed to increase the number of pigs slaughtered by 4,9% and brought the total number of animals processed to 28.340.000. Countries such as Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark also managed to significantly increase the number of animals processed, with increases between 6,9% and 9,7%.

The odd one out was Germany. The previously largest pig-producing country in Europe processed 2,6% fewer animals, bringing the total number of pigs slaughtered to 26.090.000 head. The significantly reduced supply of animals from abroad is mainly to blame for this. Both the number of imported piglets and fattening pigs have shown a significant decline since the outbreak of African swine fever.