According to Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), Germany exported around 1.08 million tonnes of pork and pig products in January–June 2026. Of this volume, approximately 894,000 tonnes consisted of pork and meat products, while a further 184,000 tonnes were edible offal.
Despite the overall increase in exports, shipments to EU countries were weaker than a year earlier. Germany exported 889,000 tonnes to the EU-27 in the first half of the year, around 3% less year on year.
At the same time, exports outside the EU increased much more strongly, from around 146,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025 to 189,000 tonnes in 2026, an increase of almost 30%. This brought shipments to third countries back to roughly the level recorded in 2024.
However, the European Union remains by far the main market for German pork, accounting for around 82% of exports.
Italy and the Netherlands Remain Key Buyers
Italy and the Netherlands remained the largest markets for German pork.
Germany shipped around 170,000 tonnes to Italy in the first half of the year, 2% less than a year earlier. The Netherlands, by contrast, increased its purchases by 6% to approximately 160,000 tonnes.
Poland also strengthened its position significantly, with shipments rising by 18% to around 76,000 tonnes.
Exports to Austria totalled approximately 65,000 tonnes, down 1% year on year, while shipments to Belgium amounted to around 61,000 tonnes, also 1% lower.
UK Purchases Increase by 45%
Among individual export markets, shipments to the United Kingdom recorded the strongest growth. According to AMI, German pork exports to the country increased by around 45%.
South Korea and Vietnam also regained importance as destinations for German pork products.
Thus, while Germany is gradually increasing shipments to third countries and diversifying its export destinations, the EU internal market remains the foundation of the country’s pork export trade.
PigUA.info, based on materials from euromeatnews.com