Piglet exports to Spain increase by 873 percent

The Netherlands exported 1,77 million piglets in the first quarter of this year; in the same period last year that number was 1,62 million. Germany is by far the most important sales market; 1,1 million piglets were exported there. This is a decrease of almost 2% compared to last year, but this means that piglet sales in Germany show a fairly stable picture.

Spanish import: 'booming'
This does not apply to piglet sales in Spain. 309.763 piglets were exported there, compared to 31.817 piglets last year. In other words: a percentage increase of 873%. Spain has thus emerged as the second most important sales market for Dutch piglets.

Although piglet exports to Spain were described as 'extremely good', the figures achieved are unprecedented. However, exports to Spain have been slow since the start of the second quarter a decrease (both in numbers and revenues), exporters say.

(Text continues below the chart)Piglet sales in Spain have been significantly higher since the end of 2017. 

The third most important sales market is Belgium/Luxembourg. 235.000 piglets went there in the first quarter, an increase of 11,2% compared to the first quarter 1 year earlier. Sales to Italy, on the other hand, fell by 35% to 32.000 units. Exports to Poland are at a stable level (31.000 piglets).

Danish exports are also positive
Also competitor Denmark has had a good first quarter in terms of piglet exports. On balance, the Danes exported 3,59 million piglets, an increase of 5,2% compared to the same period in 2017. This while last year was already a record year in terms of numbers.