June 8, 2023

EU swine producers grapple with challenges as production decline

Swine producers in the European Union (EU) are facing a range of challenges that are impacting the market, including high input costs and the persistent threat of African swine fever (ASF), which is limiting export opportunities, UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

The first quarter of 2023 has seen a decline in pork production, with an estimated 5.4 million tonnes produced in the EU-27, a decrease of nearly half a million tonnes (-8%) compared to the same period in 2022. Short-term outlooks suggest that production is forecasted to decline by 5% throughout the year.

Spain, as the largest producer of pork in Europe, has experienced the largest volume decline year on year, with Q1 2023 levels below 1.33 million tonnes, a decrease of 97,600 tonnes (-7%) from Q1 2022. Germany and Denmark have also recorded significant falls in production, with year-to-date figures down 94,800 tonnes (-8%) and 91,600 tonnes (-20%) respectively compared to 2022 levels.

Other key producing countries such as the Netherlands, France, and Belgium have witnessed a production decline ranging from 27,000 to 47,000 tonnes (5-10%) compared to last year. Poland had the smallest year-on-year decline among the major producers, with production down 12,100 tonnes (-3%) in the first three months of the year.

The decrease in production volumes can be attributed to reduced slaughter numbers, with total slaughter estimated to be just under 57.1 million head for Q1 2023, a decline of over 4.7 million head from the same period in 2022.

Spain reported the largest year-on-year reduction in slaughter numbers, down 1.4 million head (-9%), reaching 14.1 million head for Q1. Germany also experienced a significant drop, with slaughter numbers down nearly 1.0 million head (-8%) compared to 2022, totalling 11.1 million head. Denmark fell by 810,000 head to approximately 4.2 million head for Q1 2023. Poland had the smallest decline, down 150,000 head year on year, while other key producing countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and France saw slaughter numbers decline by 300,000 to 430,000 head.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.