Portugal exports of pigs for slaughter decreased by 2.2% and meat increased by 33.6% in the 1st half of 2021

The output of pigs for slaughter decreased 2.2% in the 1st half of 2021 when compared to the same period of the previous year, from 284 785 heads in 2020 to 278 537 heads in 2021 (-6248 heads). This number represents an output of more than 10 thousand pigs per week for slaughter or production (fattening piglets sold to Spain, essentially) outside Portugal. The total weight of these animals decreased by 3.5% compared to the previous year, going from 18 353.7 tons in 2020 to 17 705.4 in 2021. In meat, Portugal increased its sales abroad by 33.6% in the first 6 months of 2021 compared to 2020, with total sales abroad of 31 226.4 tons in 2021 and 23 382.2 tons in 2020. Thus, the sale of frozen meat increased by 70.8%, from 11,247.2 tons in 2020 to 19,207.1 tons in 2021. With regard to fresh and refrigerated meat, there was also an increase, in this case of 22.6 %% ...