Germany’s pork exports rose slightly in the first half of 2026, according to AMI. While deliveries to the EU declined, exports to third countries increased significantly – sales to the United Kingdom were particularly strong. Nevertheless, the EU remains by far the most important market.
From January to June 2026, Germany exported a total of approximately 1.08 million tons of pork and pork by-products, 1.7% more than in the same period in 2025, reports AMI. Of this, 894,000 tons consisted of pork and pork products and related products. A further 184,000 tons were edible offal.
Exports within the EU performed somewhat weaker than in the previous year. Deliveries to the EU-27 in the first half of 2026 amounted to 889,000 tons, approximately 3% below the previous year’s level. In contrast, German exports to countries outside the EU-27 rose from around 146,000 tons in the first half of 2025 to approximately 189,000 tons in 2026. This represents an increase of almost 30%. Exports to third countries thus returned to the level of 2024. Despite this recovery, the EU remains the central pillar of German exports, accounting for around 82%.
Italy and the Netherlands remained the most important export markets for German pork. Exports to Italy totaled around 170,000 tons, 2% less than in the same period of the previous year. The Netherlands, on the other hand, increased its imports by 6% to approximately 160,000 tons. Poland also gained importance as a sales market. German deliveries there increased by 18% to around 76,000 tons. Exports to Austria amounted to approximately 65,000 tons, a slight decrease of 1%. Exports to Belgium, at around 61,000 tons, were also 1% lower than the previous year.
Sales in the United Kingdom were particularly strong. According to AMI, imports from Germany increased by around 45%. South Korea and Vietnam also regained importance.
