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AHDB's report shows that pork production in the European Union increased 3% during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year. The figure consolidates the bloc's recovery after two years of contraction and coincides with a moderate recomposition of the herd in the main producing countries.
The European pork sector went through a complex two-year period, with margins squeezed by the combination of high feed costs and weak Chinese demand. The first signs of recovery began to appear in late 2025, when pig prices in the EU market returned to levels compatible with profitability.
The first quarter of 2026 confirms that trend, with year-on-year growth bringing European production closer to pre-crisis levels.
According to the report released by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), EU pork production expanded 3% year-on-year during the first quarter, supported by higher slaughter weights and a modest recomposition of the sow herd.
Spain and Germany led the growth, while Poland and Denmark showed more moderate variations. The report also highlights a rebound in intra-EU shipments.
The figure confirms the gradual exit from the contraction phase and improves prospects for European producers, whose balances had deteriorated during the last two years. However, the sustainability of the recovery will depend on the evolution of Asian demand and energy costs.
For South American exporters, the European recomposition reduces competitive pressure in export markets but may also limit room to place premium cuts.
