Between January and March 2026, Portugal exported 14.7 thousand tonnes of pork, representing a 67.7% increase compared to the same period last year. For comparison, pork exports totaled 8.8 thousand tonnes in the first quarter of 2025.
At the same time, exports of live pigs continued to decline. According to preliminary data from Portugal’s National Statistics Institute (INE), published through the Office for Planning, Policy and General Administration (GPP), 103.1 thousand pigs were exported during the first quarter of 2026, a decrease of 22.9% compared to the previous year. In 2025, exports reached 133.8 thousand head.
Overall, live animal exports fell by more than 30,000 head. Of these, 53.0 thousand pigs were shipped for slaughter, nearly 14,000 fewer than a year earlier. An additional 53.1 thousand piglets were exported for finishing, 16.7 thousand fewer than in the first quarter of 2025.
The decline in the number of exported animals was also reflected in the total live weight of shipments. The combined weight of pigs exported abroad decreased by 20.8%, from 9.9 thousand tonnes in 2025 to 7.8 thousand tonnes in 2026. The average live weight of slaughter pigs was approximately 130.7 kg, while piglets exported for finishing averaged 18 kg.
Against the backdrop of lower live animal exports, pork shipments increased substantially. The strongest growth was recorded in frozen pork exports, which rose by 82.3%, from 4.2 thousand tonnes in 2025 to 7.7 thousand tonnes in 2026.
Exports of fresh and chilled pork also expanded significantly, increasing by 54.2% from 4.6 thousand tonnes to 7.0 thousand tonnes over the same period.
In contrast, exports of pork offal declined by 23.9%, falling from 2.3 thousand tonnes in 2025 to 1.8 thousand tonnes in 2026.
Despite the sharp increase in export volumes, export revenue grew by only 1.8%, rising from €46.8 million to €47.7 million. This may indicate pressure on prices or changes in the product mix being exported.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese pork sector’s trade balance improved considerably. In the first quarter of 2026, the positive trade balance increased by €19.6 million, representing a 21.4% improvement compared to the same period of the previous year.
Industry experts note that the decline in live pig exports alongside higher exports of processed pork products is a positive development for the sector, as it allows more added value to remain within the country and strengthens the position of Portuguese meat-processing companies in international markets.
PigUA.info, based on materials from pig333.com