EU pork exports to increase in Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, the European Union recorded a significant increase in pork exports, increasing shipments to third countries by 3% compared to the same period last year. According to the Agricultural Market Information Agency (AMI), almost 1.1 million tonnes of pork, including offal, were exported from January to March. This demonstrates the stable demand for pork from Europe, especially in the context of growing consumer preferences and the strengthening position of European producers in international markets.

Export leaders: Spain in first place

Spain remains the leading pork exporter among EU countries, accounting for more than one third of total exports. In the first quarter of 2025, Spanish producers increased shipments by 12% compared to last year, which underlines their competitiveness and ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Spanish pork is in high demand due to its quality and variety, making it attractive to buyers from different countries.

Germany: Export volumes decline

Although Germany has traditionally been a strong producer of pork in Europe, it faced serious challenges in the first quarter of 2025. Due to restrictions related to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, German pork export volumes fell by almost a third compared to the previous year, which had a negative impact on its competitiveness. As a result, Germany fell to sixth place among pork exporters in the EU, behind the Netherlands and Denmark, which also increased their shipments.

Export structure: frozen pork is a priority

The largest export volumes were frozen pork, amounting to around 432 thousand tonnes. Together with offal, these two product groups accounted for around 72% of the total pork export volume from the EU. This underlines the continued interest in frozen products, which have a long shelf life and are easy to transport.

Main markets: China and others

China continues to be the largest buyer of European pork, which is explained by the high demand for meat products in the country. It is followed by the UK, the Philippines and Japan, which also actively purchase pork from the EU. The increase in supplies to these countries is due to the growing demand for meat products and the improvement of trade relations between the EU and these regions.

Thus, the first quarter of 2025 was a successful period for the European Union in the field of pork exports. Spain continues to lead confidently, while Germany faces challenges that may affect its position in the future. Sustainable demand from key markets such as China and the UK creates opportunities for further growth and development of the pork sector in Europe.

Tags: pork, EU