Belgium is a major player in small Indian pig market

Pork is culturally accepted and produced to a considerable extent in certain parts of India, but much less so in other parts of the country. Domestic production of pork amounted to 4,100 tons in 2021, again slightly less than the year before (-0.5 percent). This contrasts sharply with the Belgian production of approximately 1 million tons and the 1.7 million tons in the Netherlands. Meat consumption in India is on the low side compared to other countries. But the growing purchasing power does translate into an increasing demand for animal proteins. The increased demand for pork is because it is a real niche product and Indian consumers are looking for novelties, says BMO spokesperson Liliane Driessen. 'Finally, certain consumers also feel attracted to the nutritional value of pork, they appreciate lean meat with a high protein and fiber content,' says Driessen. Import needed The interest in pork is already greater than domestic production. India imported 766 tons of high quality ...