Portugal: pork exports increased by 4.7% and meat exports decreased by 5.9% between January and September 2024

According to data published by the GPP, provided by INE as preliminary data, the output of pigs (fattening piglets and pigs for slaughter) increased by 4.7% in the first 9 months of 2024 when compared to the same period of the previous year, going from 419,747 heads in 2023 to 439,459 heads in 2024 (+19,712 heads). Breaking down these numbers, there was a 10.9% reduction in slaughter pigs, going from 250,422 heads in 2023 to 223,050 heads in 2024 (-27,372 heads). In the case of fattening piglets, 216,409 heads were produced in 2024, which represents + 27.8% compared to 2023, when 169,325 heads were produced. The total weight of these animals decreased by 2.7% compared to the previous year, going from 31,313 tons in 2023 to 30,463 tons in 2024. As for slaughter pigs, the total weight of these animals decreased by only 5.1% compared to the previous year, going from 27,996 tons in 2023 to 26,559 in 2024, which gives an average weight of 119.1 kg BW (in 2023 the average weight was ...