Substantially fewer pigs slaughtered in the European Union

Compared to the same period last year, significantly fewer pigs were slaughtered in the first three months of 2023. Both per capita and per kilo, the slaughter rate in the European Union fell by 7,7%. The trend appears to be Europe-wide, as the number of slaughters is decreasing in almost every country. Only in Greece (+6,7%), Sweden (+1,3%) and Italy (+0,1%) did the number of slaughters increase. Pork production increased only in Sweden. There, the slaughter weight increased by 0,3%.

Remarkably, all European core markets experienced contraction. In the Netherlands, the slaughter rate fell by 9,8%. The slaughter weight fell slightly more, by 10,6%. The number of slaughters fell most in Denmark. The total number of slaughters fell by 16,3% and the slaughter weight was even 19,9% ​​lower.

The number of slaughters in Germany fell by 9%. The slaughter weight was 8,2% lower. Remarkably, the average slaughter weight in Spain has increased. In total, 6,8% less pork was produced. In France, the number of slaughters fell by 5% and meat production fell by 5,2%. Poland did relatively well with a decline of 2,7%. The country even managed to keep its average slaughter weight reasonably in order. In total, production fell by 2,6%.

Export is hit hard
Due to the lower number of slaughters, exports to third countries have decreased by 2022% compared to the same period of 13,8. For the time being, the decline in exports to China remains limited. In the period from January to March 2022, exports fell by 3,5%. This is not surprising, since China pays relatively high prices for slaughterhouse waste. The decline in exports to Japan (-0,4%) and the United Kingdom (-2,3%) is also not too bad.

In almost all other major export markets, exports fell by at least 10%. The export to the United States is most striking. It fell by as much as 48,9%. Exports to Taiwan fell by 38,4%. In addition, exports in 8 of the 17 countries that the EU sees as a core market for European pork fell by more than 20%. In no fewer than six of these countries, exports fell by more than 30%. Yet there are two notable exceptions. Exports to Congo (+12,1%), Vietnam (+23,5%) and Malaysia (+85,8%) grew strongly.

Ukraine war
The main reason for the lower number of massacres appears to be the war in Ukraine. Higher energy and feed costs appear to have hit European pork production hard. Although costs have stabilized considerably, slaughter figures in Europe appear to be falling further rather than increasing. This can partly be explained by the political climate. Because stricter legislation in the core markets also seems to be hindering the pig sector.