Inside: Pig Market
Vion sees German competition growing
In 2017, Vion was the only large slaughterhouse in Germany to slaughter fewer pigs. The number of slaughters at the German branch of the Dutch meat concern fell by 4,2% to 8,5 million. Danish Crown, on the other hand, attracts a striking number of pigs.
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Figures from ISN show that 57,9 million pigs were slaughtered in Germany last year, a decrease of 2,4% compared to 2016. At the 10 largest slaughterhouses, 45,85 million pigs were on the hooks, which is good for approximately 80% of the total. Despite the shrinkage, 9 of the 10 largest slaughterhouses managed to achieve growth. Vion Germany, the second largest slaughterhouse, is an exception to this. The shrinkage at Vion is not new. For example, more than 2015 million pigs were slaughtered in 9. Closing some slaughter locations is the cause of the decline.
Tonies is still by far the largest slaughterhouse with 16,6 million (+2,5%) pigs slaughtered. With 8,26 million (+2,8%) pig slaughters, Westfleisch takes third place. However, the difference between Westfleisch and Vion is becoming smaller and smaller.
Danish Crown is advancing
With 3,62 million pigs slaughtered (+20,7%), Danish Crown is no threat to the top 3. However, the percentage growth that the Danish/German meat group is experiencing is striking. The reason for this is the acquisition of Teterow in April 2017. Willms Gruppe has also grown significantly in the number of slaughters (+45,8% to 1,4 million). This slaughterhouse from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is therefore a newcomer in the top 10. An acquisition also boosts growth.
| Number | Butchery | Slaughter (x1.000.000) | Change compared to 2016 | Market share 2017 |
| 1. | Tonies | 16,6 | 2,5% | 28,7 |
| 2. | Vion | 8,50 | -4,2% | 14,7% |
| 3. | West meat | 8,26 | 2,8% | 14,3% |
| 4. | Danish Crown | 3,62 | 20,7% | 6,3% |
| 5. | Mueller group | 2,15 | 2,4% | 3,7% |
| 6. | Bad gold feast | 1,78 | 0,6% | 3,1% |
| 7. | Bustle | 1,55 | 0,1% | 2,7% |
| 8. | Willms Group | 1,40 | 45,8% | 2,4% |
| 9. | Simon | 1,07 | 2,9% | 1,8% |
| 10 | Keep | 0,92 | 8,2% | 1,6% |
| Top-10 | 45,85 | 3,3% | 79,2% | |
| Germany total | 57,90 | -2,4% | 100% |