EU Share of Pork Global Exports Continues Decline

European Union (EU) pork exports are expected to decline 25% in 2024 compared to 2019 and account for 15% of production, down from 19% in 2019, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service reports in the latest Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade report. In addition to growing regulatory burdens, the report notes EU swine producers continue to face challenges controlling the impact of African swine fever (ASF), which has resulted in a reduced swine herd and limited exports to some markets.

Meanwhile, global production in 2024 is forecast virtually unchanged year over year at 115.5 million tons, the report says. Lower production in the EU and China is mostly offset by larger production in Brazil, Vietnam and the U.S. EU pork production is forecast 2% lower year over year to 21.2 million tons.