Germany: Historically low pork stocks at the end of 2025
The total amount of pork stored in 2025 was 3 percent lower than the previous year. Compared to 2022, pork stocks were even 46 percent lower, according to a recent report by the Agricultural Market and Information Company (AMI), based on data from the Association of German Cold Storage and Refrigerated Logistics Companies (VDKL). During the Christmas season in November and December 2025, storage levels were significantly reduced, falling noticeably below the previous year's figures.
Due to lower pork volumes and increased storage and energy costs, overall storage was less significant. With supply pressure and lower prices, frozen and cold storage inventories could rise again. Accordingly, more pork, such as barbecue items for the next grilling season, is likely to have been stored in January 2026, starting from a comparatively lower inventory level in December 2025.
From the perspective of pig farmers, both the low pork stock levels and the other favorable conditions in the pig market offer good prospects for a further positive trend in slaughter pig and piglet prices. The live market is currently significantly more receptive than at the beginning of the year, and the marketing of slaughter-ready pigs is proceeding more quickly, as demonstrated by recently auction results on the online pig exchange – with an average price of €1.62, it is currently 12 cents above the association price. Should this trend continue, the current price increase in the VEZG (Association of German Pig Producers) quotation for slaughter pigs could mark the beginning of a more sustainable price recovery, providing German pig farming with a viable economic foundation once again.
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