Netherlands: Piglet sales to Spain more than double

The Netherlands exported significantly fewer pigs in the first half of 2021 than in the same period last year, and slaughter from domestic MEAT producers, in turn, increased. According to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the first 25 calendar weeks of this year, 3.81 million pigs were sold to other countries of the European Union, which is almost 461,000 pigs or 10.8% less compared to the same period. last year. 

With more animals apparently remaining in the country, hog slaughter increased by about 550,000 heads, or 7.5%, to almost 7.84 million heads. Recently, Denmark has also seen a decline in live meat exports and an increase in livestock slaughter.

High demand for piglets in Spain

Piglets remained the most important EXPORT commodity in the Netherlands. However, the number of heads shipped abroad decreased by 74,120 heads, or 2.3%, to 3.22 million heads compared to the first half of 2020. This was mainly due to sales to Germany falling by 281,320 heads, or 13.2%, to just under 1.85 million heads.

Deliveries to Poland fell even more sharply, by 57% to 30,310 heads. On the other hand, piglet sales to Spain more than doubled to 795,000 due to high pig prices in the local market.

Exports of pigs for slaughter fell the most compared to the first half of 2020. The number of fattening pigs delivered to foreign slaughterhouses decreased by almost 352,000 HEAD to just 362,400 head. This was especially felt by German meat producers: the volume of animals shipped to Germany ready for slaughter fell by 375,500 heads, or by 54.8%, to 309,240 heads.

By contrast, sales of slaughter pigs to Belgium, including Luxembourg, increased by 187.6% year-over-year to 24,700 heads, and to Spain by 117% to 20,220 heads. The export of sows for slaughter also decreased compared to January-June 2020 in total by 13% to 233,140 heads. Including deliveries to Germany decreased by 38.4% to 93,810 heads. Overall, Dutch pig exports to Germany were down 715,170 heads, or 24.1%, compared to the first half of 2020.