Despite herd reductions in some countries, the overall trend reflects a recovery following the downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and related logistical challenges. Notably, pork production peaked in 2021 with nearly 84 million head, partly due to delayed slaughter caused by quarantine restrictions in 2020.
In addition to rising slaughter numbers, average carcass weight has also increased. Since the beginning of 2025, total carcass weight has reached 7.46 million tonnes — 3.2% higher than in the same period last year.
Spain remains the EU’s leading pork producer by a significant margin, slaughtering 19.04 million pigs between January and April (up from 18.28 million in 2024). Germany ranks second with 15.06 million pigs slaughtered in the same period.
The strongest growth rates were recorded in Eastern Europe. Bulgaria and Romania increased slaughter volumes by 14.2% and 12.3%, respectively. Poland and Hungary also showed positive trends with a 3.9% rise.
At the same time, some countries are scaling back production. Notably, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark have reported declines. The most significant decrease is in the Netherlands, where a government livestock reduction program is having a visible impact. For the first time in 50 years, the Dutch pig herd has dropped below 10 million — down by more than 5%, to 9.96 million animals, according to preliminary data.
Overall, the EU pork market continues to adapt to new conditions, balancing sustainability goals, economic viability, and shifting production leadership within the bloc.
PigUA.info based on materials from pigprogress.net