Portugal: Pig exports down and pork exports up in the first quarter

In the first quarter of 2025, Portugal’s pig exports (including piglets for fattening and pigs for slaughter) dropped by 19.5% compared to the same period in 2024, falling from 167,015 to 130,630 head, a decrease of 36,385 animals. Of which:

• 65,019 pigs were exported for slaughter, down by 32,177 compared to the first quarter of 2024.
• 65,611 piglets were exported for fattening, a decrease of 4,208 from the same period last year.

The total live weight of animals exported fell by 23.1%, from 12,501 tons in Q1 2024 to 9,608 tons in Q1 2025. Of this:

• Slaughter pigs accounted for 8,293 tons, with an average live weight of 127.3 kg.
• Piglets accounted for 1,315 tons, averaging 20.0 kg.

Portuguese pork exports rose by 12.9% in volume during Q1 2025, reaching 11,486 tons compared to 10,172 tons in 2024.

• Frozen pork exports increased by 4.6%, from 4,142 to 4,333 tons.
• Fresh and chilled pork exports jumped 23.4%, from 3,779 to 4,665 tons.
• Offal exports rose 10.6%, from 2,251 to 2,488 tons.

Revenue from international sales fell by 9.9%, dropping from €52.063 million in 2024 to €46.907 million in 2025.

As a result, Portugal's trade balance worsened by €11.4 million, marking a 13.6% decline compared to the previous year.