December 3, 2024

 

Portugal's pig exports rose by 4.7% in first nine months of this year

 

 

Portugal's pig exports (piglets and slaughter pigs) increased by 4.7% in the first nine months of 2024 when compared to the same period last year, going from 419,747 head in 2023 to 439,459 head this year (+19,712 head), according to data published by the GPP, provided by the INE as preliminary data.

 

Breaking down these figures, there was a 10.9% reduction in slaughter pigs, from 250,422 head in 2023 to 223,050 head in 2024 (-27,372 head). In the case of piglets for fattening, there were 216,409 head in 2024, which is 27.8% more than in 2023 when there were 169,325 head.

 

The total weight of these animals fell by 2.7% compared to last year, from 31,313 tonnes in 2023 to 30,463 tonnes in 2024.

 

As far as slaughter pigs are concerned, the total weight of these animals fell by 5.1% compared to last year, from 27,996 tonnes in 2023 to 26,559 tonnes in 2024, giving an average weight of 119.1 kilogrammes live (in 2023 the average weight was 111.8 kilogrammes live).

 

In the case of piglets, there was a 17.7% increase in weight exported, from 3,307 tonnes in 2023 to 3,904 tonnes in 2024, giving an average weight of 18 kg live (in 2023 the average weight was 19.6 kg live). So more piglets left Portugal in 2024, but they were lighter compared to 2023.

 

Portugal's sales of pork abroad also fell in the first nine months of the year (-5.9%) compared to 2023, with total sales abroad standing at 29,764 tonnes in 2024 and 31,633 tonnes in 2023. Sales of frozen pork increased by 1.4% from 13,146 tonnes in 2023 to 13,329 tonnes in 2024.

 

Fresh and chilled pork fell by 3.0% compared to 2023, from 10,266 tonnes in 2023 to 9,962 tonnes in 2024. Offal sales fell by 21.3% from 8,221 tonnes in 2023 to 6,473 tonnes in 2024.

 

- SIMA Bulletin