EU pig herd contraction eases as breeding numbers steady: EU pork update

• The EU pig population stood at 131.5 million head in 2025, a 0.5% decrease year-on-year
• The population of fattening pigs weighing 50kg or over totalled 53.8 million head in the EU, a 0.8% increase year-on-year
• The EU breeding sow herd reached 10.3 million head an increase of 0.8% year-on-year

The EU pig population stood at 131.5 million head at the end of 2025, representing a 0.5% (685,000 head) decline year-on-year (YoY) according to official data from Eurostat. This continues the broader downward trend observed across the sector, with numbers down 10% compared to 2020.

The overall annual decline in 2025 was primarily driven by reductions in Spain, the largest pig producing member state. Spain’s pig population totalled 33.6 million head, down 3% (919,600 head) compared to the previous year. Pig numbers in the Netherlands fell steeply (-7%) to 9.5 million head.

Despite the overall contraction, several key member states recorded growth. Germany’s pig population increased by 1% to 21.5 million head, while Denmark saw a more notable rise of 6% to 12.3 million head. Poland also recorded moderate growth, with numbers up by 2% to 9.2 million head.

In terms of distribution, Spain accounted for 26% of the EU pig population, followed by Germany at 16%. Denmark and France each held a 9% share, while Poland represented 7% of the total.

Figure 1. EU domestic pig population for selected European Union countries from 2024 to 2025

Source: Eurostat

The breeding herd, the clearest leading indicator of future output, showed modest growth in 2025. Sow numbers totalled 10.3 million head, an increase of 0.8% (76,900 head) YoY but numbers remain 13% smaller than in 2015. The modest increase may have indicated a temporary pause in destocking rather than a reversal of the longer-term decline, with current market and policy pressures continuing to weigh on the outlook.

The recent expansion was largely driven by Spain, where breeding sow numbers rose by 3% to 2.7 million head, reinforcing its central role in EU pig production. In contrast, the Netherlands experienced a notable decline, with sow numbers falling by 2% to 786,000 head, as voluntary buy-back programs take effect.

Numbers of piglets under 20kg, animals closest to entering the finishing pipeline, jumped by 6.1% to 42.4 million head, the highest in the past decade. The increase was heavily concentrated in Denmark, with numbers up 55% to 6.6 million head. These gains may be linked to productivity improvements, including higher piglet numbers per sow and more efficient feed conversion resulting from advances in breeding and farm specialisation.

Danish live pig exports reached a record 18.5 million head in 2025, up 1% year on year, suggesting that continued export demand may also have supported higher piglet production.

Even setting Denmark aside, piglet numbers rose across most major producers, including Germany (+5.0%), Poland (+3.4%) and Spain (+1.6%). The broad direction illustrates improved productivity across the EU's smaller breeding herd, allowing the herd to produce more with less.

The number of the heaviest fattening pigs, those of 110kg or over, climbed 7.6% YoY in 2025 to 10.5 million head, 24% larger than in 2015. Spain accounted for the largest gain, with Germany (−10.3%), Italy (−8.2%) and Belgium (−15.8%) all lower.

The longer trend is more robust. Pigs of 110kg and over now represent 19.5% of the fattening herd at 50kg and above, up from 14.5% in 2015. The total fattening herd remains 12.3% below its 2020 peak but it did not contract in 2025.

After several years of tightening supply, EU pigmeat availability appears to be stabilising. The latest EU short-term outlook supports this view, forecasting production growth of just 0.3% in 2026.

For the UK, any increase in EU output could create greater competition from imported pork and reduce support for domestic pig prices. The growing concentration of EU breeding capacity in Spain and Denmark could also increasingly shape the origin of future weaner and pigmeat supplies. However, proposed regulatory changes in Denmark could have significant implications for its production and export capacity. African swine fever remains a key risk to pig populations and trade across Europe, highlighted by Finland’s first cases in wild boar and two outbreaks on domestic pig farms in Hungary.

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