According to Rabobank’s World Pork Map 2026, the European Union currently remains the world’s largest pork exporter, although the gap with the United States is gradually narrowing.
The outlook for the European sector is increasingly being shaped by stricter environmental requirements, tighter animal welfare standards and rising production costs. Rabobank expects these factors to constrain further growth in production and exports.
As a result, the EU could gradually lose its leading position, with the United States eventually becoming the world’s largest pork exporter. At the same time, ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China are currently supporting the competitiveness of European suppliers and temporarily slowing this shift.
Brazil’s role in global pork trade has grown significantly in recent years. In 2022–2023, Brazilian exports expanded rapidly, supported by strong demand from China and competitive production costs.
This allowed the country to overtake Canada and move into third place among the world’s largest pork exporters.
However, as Chinese imports declined, Brazil began redirecting shipments more actively towards other markets, reducing its dependence on a single major buyer.
The Philippines has become one of Brazil’s key destinations and is currently the largest market for Brazilian pork.
In 2025, shipments to the country increased by more than 30%. Strong demand is being supported by limited domestic pork supply and livestock losses caused by disease.
According to Rabobank, this demonstrates Brazil’s success in redirecting exports towards emerging markets and strengthening its presence outside China.
Competition among the world’s leading pork exporters is therefore becoming increasingly intense. The EU continues to hold the top position, the United States is gradually closing the gap, while Brazil is consolidating its third-place ranking thanks to competitive production costs and the continued diversification of its export markets.
PigUA.info, based on materials from Rabobank