by Marika De Vincenzi
EU pork production continues to grow: following a 3.6% increase in 2025, production rose by a further 1.4% in the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period of the previous year.
In contrast, extra-EU pork exports declined by 3.4% in volume and 17.6% in value.
The EU has a self-sufficiency rate of 115%, with significant differences between countries: from Denmark (576.5%) and Spain (163.9%) to Italy (58.1%).
The increased availability of pork, combined with weaker export opportunities, could intensify competition within the European market.
The price comparison between Italy, Spain and Belgium (see chart) highlights significant differences between national markets, partly reflecting their different production systems.
Against a backdrop of growing European pork supply, the Italian pork supply chain’s ability to capitalise on its distinctive production characteristics – including in export markets and higher-value market segments – will be crucial to maintaining its price premium over other European countries.
