Analysis Pigs
Shifting balance on the Danish pig market
After several years of sharply declining slaughter figures, Danish slaughterhouses will have a completely different approach by 2025. The domestic supply of pigs for meat is growing, and this is clearly reflected in the slaughter numbers. More pigs were processed, particularly in the second half of the year. Although Danish Crown recently indicated that it was also seeing supply growth in its own slaughterhouses, the number of pigs processed by the company still declined last year.
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In 2025, Danish slaughterhouses processed 15,03 million pigs, surpassing the 15 million mark for the first time in years. In 2024, 14,25 million pigs were processed. This represents an increase of approximately 780.000 animals, or 5,5%. After a sharp decline, the number of pigs slaughtered has suddenly recovered significantly. This is evident from figures from the Danish Pig Farmers' Association, the Danske Svine Producer.
Peak in 2021
In 2021, the number of pigs slaughtered peaked at 18,49. By 2024, there were 14,25 million left, a decline of 4,24 million in just four years. This prompted Danish Crown to take measures to stabilize the domestic supply. Various measures were taken to entice suppliers to build new barns and the attracting new suppliers.
The shrinking pig supply has primarily impacted Danish Crown's market share. In 2021, the company processed 13,38 million pigs. Four years later, in 2025, the number dropped to 8,89 million, a decrease of 4,49 million. This means that the decline in Danish slaughter is primarily attributable to Danish Crown.
Subsidiary Premium Food Group shrinks significantly less
Danish Crown's largest competitor, Tican, part of the Tonnies family's Premium Food Group, saw its slaughter decline significantly less rapidly. After a peak of 4,21 million processed pigs in 2021, that number dropped to 2,65 million. However, it has recovered in recent years to 3,95 million pigs in 2025.
This has clearly boosted the company's market share in a shrinking market. The company's development in 2025, in particular, contrasts sharply with that of Danish Crown. Tican's increase of 1,22 million animals compares to a further reduction of 1,2 million animals for Danish Crown. The latter closed several slaughterhouses in recent years due to declining animal numbers. For example, the slaughterhouses in Ringsted and Sæby were closed. These two locations combined processed approximately 4 million animals in 2021.
Relationships changed
With the above developments, the dynamics of the Danish pig market have clearly shifted in recent years. Although Danish Crown remains the market leader, the gap has narrowed significantly. Tican, affiliated with Tonnies, has seen significant market share growth, and other slaughterhouses are also claiming a significantly larger share.
|
Market share |
Danish Crown |
Tican |
Other slaughterers |
|
2025 |
59% |
26% |
15% |
|
2024 |
71% |
19% |
10% |
|
2023 |
74% |
18% |
8% |
|
2022 |
73% |
21% |
6% |
|
2021 |
72% |
23% |
5% |