In 2024, Germany experienced a modest increase in pork exports, marking the first rise after several years of decline. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), the country exported approximately 1.265 million tonnes of fresh, chilled, or frozen pork, excluding slaughter by-products. This figure represents a 3.7% increase, or an additional 45,000 tonnes, compared to 2023. However, revenue from these exports grew by only 1.0%, totaling €3.80 billion. For context, the record year of 2019 saw over 1.80 million tonnes exported, generating €4.51 billion in revenue.
On the import side, Germany continued its multi-year trend of declining pork imports. In 2024, imports amounted to 605,000 tonnes, a decrease of about 50,000 tonnes or 7.6% from the previous year. Correspondingly, import expenditures fell by 10.9% to approximately €1.60 billion. In 2019, the country imported 884,000 tonnes of pork, costing €1.67 billion. Due to these opposing trends in exports and imports, Germany’s trade surplus in pork increased by 11.8% in 2024, reaching around €2.21 billion.
This uptick in exports is notable, especially considering the challenges posed by animal diseases in recent years. For instance, in January 2025, Germany reported its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly four decades, leading to import bans from several countries outside the European Union. Despite these setbacks, the European Commission allowed intra-EU exports to continue, provided the meat originated from regions unaffected by the outbreak. This decision has been crucial in maintaining Germany’s pork trade within the EU.
The slight increase in pork exports, coupled with a reduction in imports, has positively impacted Germany’s trade balance in the pork sector. As the industry navigates health challenges and shifting global markets, these developments underscore the resilience and adaptability of Germany’s pork producers.
