Imports of live pigs to Germany increase again

The shrinking domestic pig production in Germany is having a noticeable impact on foreign trade in live animals. In the first half of 2023, Germany imported 5.48 million pigs, about 4% more than in the previous year. more than in the same period last year. While piglet imports have almost reached the 2020/2021 level, fattening pig imports still account for only half of pre-coronavirus imports. Overall declines in German but also European pork production are very clearly visible. Most imported pigs are weaners The vast majority of imported pigs are weaners. From January to June 2023, 4.73 million weaners were imported into Germany, an increase of almost 3%. compared to the same period last year. In the case of imports of slaughter pigs, the percentage increase was much higher and amounted to about 19 percent, however, in terms of volume, they account for a much smaller share in total imports. In absolute numbers, about 740,000 pigs, or about 120,000 more animals, were brought to ...