France no longer self-sufficient for pork

France suddenly appears no longer to be self-sufficient for pork. In the first half of this year, the sufficiency rate declined to 98.6%, down from just 100% in 2024, the national agency for agriculture and fisheries FranceAgriMer reported.

Since the beginning of the 21^st century, the sufficiency rate has always been over 100%, with a peak of 108% in 2011 and a somewhat lower high of just over 107% in 2020.

FranceAgriMer uses a mathematical and theoretical figure to reach its conclusions. It takes the total national production, adds the import of pork and pork products, deducts the export and so calculates what it calls apparent consumption. The symbolism behind the figures is significant, however, and the message is clear: the French pig sector can’t stop a steady decline and therefore cannot keep up with consumption.

In the ten years between 2014 and 2024, every year roughly 3% of pig producers left the industry. That is more than double the figure of 1.4% for agriculture as a whole. As a result, there are only 5,700 specialised pig farmers left in France, representing 1.4% of all farms in the country.

Although pig farms in France are getting larger, the total pig herd decreased from just over 14 million in 2010 to 11.7 million in 2024.

To keep up with demand and to the disgruntlement of its producers, France has to import increasing amounts of pork. In 2024, 337,000 tons of pork came from abroad, almost 7% more in comparison to 2023. The vast majority, some 220,000 tons, came from neighbouring Spain, the largest pig producer in the EU.

Moreover, France also imported 240,000 tons of charcuterie or cooked meats. On the other side of the trade balance, France itself could export 447,000 tons of pork to the rest of the world, almost the same as a year earlier but 10% less than in 2022.

Asked for a response, pig industry organisation Inaporc reflected, “The evolution of the national production hardly can keep up with demand. Despite a return of stability in the production and a light increase of the tonnage produced, the self-sufficiency rate has further declined to 98% last year.

“The sector is struggling to maintain production in line with demand because of the unsuitable regulations, preventing the necessary investments for the future. The renewal of the generations to ensure the food sovereignty of our country is not guaranteed. Inaporc therefore is calling on the authorities to lift the brakes on the recovery or expanding of farms, which will allow it to achieve its targets set for 2023.”

Tags: France, Production, imports, consumption, self sufficient, export, pork