Eastern Europe: Fresh Pork Cut Market 2025

Fresh Pork Cut Market Size in Eastern Europe

In 2022, the East European fresh pork cut market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Fresh Pork Cut Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, fresh pork cut production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 12%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of fresh pork cut production was Poland (X tons), comprising approx. 75% of total volume. Moreover, fresh pork cut production in Poland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the Czech Republic (X tons), ninefold. Hungary (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Poland totaled +2.9%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the Czech Republic (+3.0% per year) and Hungary (+0.4% per year).

Fresh Pork Cut Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat decreased by -4.5% to X tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fresh pork cut exports totaled $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 31%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Poland (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) dominates exports structure, together mixing up 95% of total exports. Bulgaria (X tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +11.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, the largest fresh pork cut supplying countries in Eastern Europe were Poland ($X), Hungary ($X) and Bulgaria ($X), together accounting for 97% of total exports.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +18.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 8.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Bulgaria ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+5.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Fresh Pork Cut Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2022, overseas purchases of fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat increased by 0.7% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 16%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fresh pork cut imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Poland was the largest importing country with an import of around X tons, which reached 56% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Romania (X tons), together constituting a 35% share of total imports. The following importers - Hungary (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) - together made up 6.2% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to fresh pork cut imports into Poland stood at +1.1%. At the same time, Slovakia (+11.1%), Hungary (+7.9%), Romania (+3.2%) and Bulgaria (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Slovakia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +11.1% from 2012-2022. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Lithuania (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Slovakia and Hungary increased by +6.6 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported fresh or chilled hams, shoulders and cuts of pig meat in Eastern Europe, comprising 52% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Slovakia ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by the Czech Republic, with a 13% share.

In Poland, fresh pork cut imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Slovakia (+3.9% per year) and the Czech Republic (-1.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, rising by 8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the import price increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Slovakia ($X per ton) and Romania ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) and Lithuania ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+0.9%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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