Pig market Belgium has had a good year

The Belgian pig market has had a good year. The number of slaughters increased in 2018, production improved and the pig population also increased last year, according to new data from the Belgian Meat Office.

Into the pig stock Belgium expanded by approximately 2018 animals in 100.000 to 6,2 million. That is a small increase compared to 2017, when the pig herd reached its lowest level in 30 years. In addition, the number of pig slaughters in Belgium increased by 250.000 to 11,2 million. This is the first increase in 3 years. Due to the increase in the number of slaughterings, the production of pork also increased: +30.000 tons to 1,07 million.

Improved export
In addition to the positive production figures, Belgium has also managed to sell more pork on the world market. The total export volume increased by 2018% in 2,7 to 816.609 tons. Exports to the United Kingdom set the largest percentage increase down: +10% to 35.190 tons.

The main destination for pork from Belgium has been Germany for years, with a share of 29%. That country is closely followed by Poland and in third place is the Netherlands. While most pork within Europe is exported to China, Belgium only exports 2% to that country.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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