These figures are based on preliminary data published by the Office for Planning, Policy and General Administration (GPP) using statistics from the National Statistics Institute of Portugal (INE).
In total, 4,110,114 pigs were slaughtered in Portuguese slaughterhouses in 2025, which is 151,851 more animals than in 2024, when 3,958,263 pigs were slaughtered.
At the same time, the total slaughter weight increased more significantly—by 6.6%, from 340.2 thousand tonnes in 2024 to 361.6 thousand tonnes in 2025. This indicates that heavier pigs were sent for slaughter, with the average carcass weight rising from 86 kg to 88 kg.
Piglet slaughter also increased slightly. In 2025, 1,321,352 piglets were slaughtered, 1.3% more than the previous year. The average carcass weight remained almost unchanged at about 7.1 kg.
A significant increase was also observed in the slaughter of culled breeding stock. The number of such animals sent for slaughter rose by 23.3% to 43,856 head. The total weight in this category increased by 24.7% to 6,678.5 tonnes, with an average carcass weight of 152.3 kg.
Overall, 5,475,322 animals were slaughtered and approved for consumption in Portugal in 2025, 3.3% more than in 2024. The total meat production reached 377.6 thousand tonnes, representing a 6.4% increase compared to the previous year.
Experts note that the growth in slaughter volumes and the increase in average carcass weight indicate a gradual improvement in the productivity of the country’s pig sector.
PigUA.info based on materials from pig333.com