The EU exported less pork to third countries in the first half of 2026. While Spain recorded significant losses, other member states were able to increase their exports.
According to figures from the European Commission reported by the Agricultural Market Information Company (AMI), the EU exported approximately 2.10 million tons of pork to third countries between January and June 2026. This represents a 1.3% decrease compared to the previous year.
Spain remained by far the largest exporter with 585,000 tons, a decrease of 18%. This decline is related to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Spain and the resulting trade restrictions. The fact that EU exports as a whole declined only moderately is due to other member states being able to fill some of the resulting gaps. Furthermore, the import demand of key customer countries such as South Korea and Vietnam increased.
Germany significantly expanded its exports to third countries. Exports rose by 29% to 189,000 tons. This increase is partly due to base effects, as exports in the first half of 2025 were impacted by temporary trade restrictions resulting from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Germany.
Denmark increased its exports by 10% to 330,000 tons, while the Netherlands exported 323,000 tons (-4%). Poland also increased its exports by 8% to 149,000 tons. France exported 139,000 tons (+2%), Ireland 118,000 tons (-0.2%), and Belgium 94,000 tons (+8%). Italy exported 51,000 tons (-1%), and Austria 29,000 tons (+4%). Spain thus accounted for around 28% of EU exports to third countries. Denmark accounted for 16%, the Netherlands 15%, and Germany 9%.
On the consumer side, China remained the most important market for EU pork despite declining demand. However, given the ongoing trade restrictions on Spanish deliveries and strong competition from suppliers in the US and Brazil, no fundamental change in this trend is expected in the coming months.
