More pigs were slaughtered in the European Union in the first half of 2026 than in the same period of the previous year. Slaughter numbers rose particularly sharply in Denmark. However, the EU Commission expects a decline in the second half of the year.
Pig slaughterings in the European Union rose by 1.6% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period of the previous year. This is according to the latest data from the EU Commission, which is based on reports from member states to Eurostat.
Denmark recorded the strongest increase. From January to June, 8.3% more pigs were slaughtered there than in the first half of 2025. Belgium (3.0%), Poland (2.9%), and Spain (2.1%) also reported above-average increases.
In Germany, by contrast, pig slaughterings rose only slightly by 0.4%. This development was on par with that of France. In Italy, however, slaughter numbers fell by 0.9%. The Netherlands reported the sharpest decline among the EU member states studied, with a drop of 5.6%.
In addition to the number of slaughters, the amount of pork produced in the EU also increased. Measured in tonnes, it was 1.9% higher in the first half of 2026 than in the same period of the previous year. The stronger increase in meat production compared to the number of slaughters is due to higher average carcass weights. However, in its short-term outlook, the EU Commission expects a decline in the number of pigs slaughtered in the second half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
