The pork sector is in a difficult situation: rising costs, falling consumption and changing habits
The domestic and EU pork sector has been facing challenges for years, hit by rising procurement and energy prices, falling consumption, and a changing social perception of the sector. Tamás Éder, president of the Hungarian Meat Producers’ Association (Meat Association), spoke to Agrarszéktor about this. The expert will also participate in the Portfolio Agricultural Sector Conference in Siófok this year, where key topics such as the issue of African swine fever, the effects of trade agreements between the EU and third countries, and improving the competitiveness of the sector will be on the agenda – Agrárszektor writes.
Declining production and prolonged difficulties in the EU
The pork sector in the European Union has been in continuous decline in recent years, accompanied by declining production and economic difficulties. According to the data, the number of pig slaughters decreased significantly, by around 12%, between 2021 and 2023. Although a slight increase of 1.5% was observed in the number of slaughters until May 2023, this is more of an exceptional improvement than a reversal of the negative trend. The falling production is due to the price increase of the last two years, which has significantly increased the cost of production, making it increasingly difficult for the meat industry to operate sustainably.
Tamás Éder pointed out that the situation of the sector is aggravated by the increase in the price of live pigs, which is accompanied by increases in energy and labor costs. The players in the sector have not been able to fully implement these increased costs in consumer prices, which is worsening the profitability of companies.
Declining consumption and changing habits
The difficulties of the sector are also exacerbated by the transformation of consumer habits. The decline in pork consumption in the western and northern countries of the European Union is primarily due to lifestyle changes. Environmental and ethical concerns, as well as a health-conscious lifestyle, are prompting more and more people to reduce their meat consumption. However, in Hungary, there are more prosaic reasons for the decrease: the income situation of the population and the rise in food prices are the main factors.
Due to the drastic increase in food prices, consumers have cut back on their spending, especially on meat products. In addition, it can be observed that consumers have turned to lower-quality, cheaper products. The resulting low turnover has also brought about structural changes: they are buying less, and more from more cost-effective product categories.
Related news
The number of poultry and pig slaughters increased in 2024 84.8 thousand cattle were slaughtered
In Hungarian slaughterhouses in 2024, 4.4 percent less than the…
Read more >Dishes made from Hungarian pork should be on the holiday table!
Not only fish dishes are in the spotlight during the…
Read more >Animal Processing in 2024: Increasing Pork and Poultry Slaughter, Decreasing Cattle and Sheep Processing
In the first three quarters of 2024, animal processing data…
Read more >Related news
KSH: in February consumer prices exceeded those of a year earlier by an average of 5.6 percent
In February 2025, consumer prices were 5.6 percent higher than…
Read more >Viktor Orbán is also upset about the price increases
Enough is enough, we will put an end to unjustified…
Read more >Price Cap on 30 Essential Food Products: Government’s Strategy to Curb Inflation
The Hungarian government has announced another price control measure in…
Read more >