EU Commission predicts stable development for meat production and consumption
The EU Commission expects meat production in the European Union to remain virtually stable in 2025. With a projected gross production of just under 42.9 million tons of meat, this would represent a minimal increase of 0.1% compared to the previous year. Pork remains the most important sector in terms of volume, with around 21.2 million tons, but is expected to decline slightly by 0.4% this year.
From January to April 2025, pork production was 3.2% higher than in the same period of the previous year due to higher slaughter numbers and slaughter weights. However, EU Commission experts expect a noticeable decline in the second half of the year – particularly due to the decline in sow numbers. In December 2024, approximately 3.1% fewer breeding sows were counted in the EU than a year earlier.
EU experts expect a similarly stable picture regarding consumption: They forecast per capita pork consumption for 2025 at the same level as the previous year, at 31.7 kg. They believe the slight price advantage over other types of meat could support demand. Beef and lamb are experiencing declines in both consumption and production. Poultry, on the other hand, is the only category showing a clear upward trend. Per capita consumption could increase by 2.0% to 25.5 kg, supported by increased availability, low prices, and a positive consumer image.
EU pork exports are likely to remain under pressure. Despite stable exports at the beginning of the year, a decline of 3.0% is expected for 2025 as a whole. The main reasons are higher prices compared to international standards, as well as uncertainties due to anti-dumping investigations in China and potential US tariffs.
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