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European Pig Sector Highlights – January 2025


  1. Germany’s Ongoing Decline in Pig Farms
    • As of November 3, 2024, Germany recorded 15,600 pig farms, reflecting a 3.4% year-on-year reduction (600 fewer farms) and a significant 41.7% decline (11,200 fewer farms) since 2014.
    • The country’s total pig herd stands at 21.2 million head—down by 25.2% (7.2 million head) over a decade—indicating a continued consolidation trend.
  2. Shift Toward Larger-Scale Operations
    • Average herd size in Germany has risen from approximately 1,100 pigs per farm in 2014 to 1,400 pigs per farm in 2024, demonstrating an ongoing consolidation into fewer, larger operations.
  3. Category-Specific Changes
    • Finishing pigs: At 9.7 million head, up 3% from six months earlier.
    • Piglets and young pigs: Down 2.5%, settling at 10 million head.
    • Breeding sows: Down 1.3% to 1.4 million head compared to May 2024.
  4. Context Within the European Market
    • Germany remains one of Europe’s largest pig producers, so its trends often signal broader patterns in the EU, such as consolidation and ongoing pressure on smaller farms due to economic factors and regulatory demands.

These figures, compiled by the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) and published in January 2025, indicate that the European pig industry—especially in Germany—is undergoing structural changes, emphasizing larger production units and reducing the total number of farms.


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