Polish pork market

According to specialists, as shown by the data, the pork market in Poland is in decline. Imports increased 4 times, but production decreased (by 13% in 10 years). A few years ago, Poland was a significant pork exporter, now the 5th importer in the EU.

There are several reasons, the biggest one is ASF, which contributes to the low purchase prices. This situation was felt most by small breeders, who are becoming smaller every year. Economic results are strongly dependent on the scale of production, the greater it is, the greater the chance for economic success grows.

kleine varkentjes met moeder in de stal

Another reason for the instability of the pork market is the reduction of pork imports by China (the EU was a large exporter). Before the surpluses that appeared in the EU, the purchase prices of livestock fell. Currently, Polish pork production depends on the import of piglets and weaners, their share is almost 40% (as much as 85% of piglet imports come from Denmark). Since 2000, the number of sows in Poland has decreased by almost 50%.

In 2020, the average price of 1 kg of pork livestock at the purchase was 5.22 PLN and was 2.5 % lower in 2019. In December 2020, for 1 kg of pork livestock, farmers paid 3.95 PLN, i.e. by 36.8 % less than in December 2019. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, at the beginning of February this year, meat plants bought slaughter pigs for an average of 4.25 PLN/ kg - by 5 % cheaper than last month, but by 5 % more expensive than last year, but with rising production costs, it is on the verge of profitability.

According to the research of many research centers, there is a high dependence of production results on the scale of live pig production. The greater the production, the better the economic results.

For example, in countries such as Denmark, Spain and Germany, there are many more specialized large-scale pig farms. Their share in national production is 97%, 85% and 71%, respectively. Because of the scale, the production of pigs in these countries is relatively safe, despite many turbulences on the world markets.

The situation in Poland is still saved from crisis, but concrete actions are needed to restore pig production.

According to Polish experts, in order to save pig production in Poland, unrealized strategies and programs for rebuilding pig production should be updated. This strategy must include both the technical background, genetics and the knowledge needed for efficient production.

Source: CenyRolnicze.pl