Germany’s pig sector sees production value drop by 9%
Even though pig farming in 2025 recorded the highest production value in the Germany’s livestock industry, the sector suffered a quite significant loss over the year.
According to first estimates from the German Federal Information Centre for Agriculture (BZL), pig farming reached a total production value of €7.7 billion, which is almost 9% lower than 2024. With that amount, the sector contributed 20% of the total production value of livestock farming in Germany.
Lower prices for finisher pigs
The decline is due to lower prices for finisher pigs, which were down by just over 11%. Because of the stabilisation of the pig population and higher average slaughter weights, pork production from German animals increased by some 3%. BLZ noted that that higher domestic supply was offset by a significantly lower import of pigs for slaughter.
The total production value of all agricultural activities in Germany increased year-on-year by 1.7% to €76.8 billion. That good result was due in particular to the increased prices for animal production. For livestock in general, the production value increased by 8.4% to a new record of €39.3 billion.
The main contribution was caused by the dairy business, where a tight supply lead to higher producer prices while prices for milk were also higher. Poultry production reached a more or less stable production value compared to 2024. BLZ added, “However, this did not apply to pigs, which yielded noticeably lower revenues.”
Fewer pig farms, increased size of the pig herd
Earlier figures from German pig producers’ organisation ISN show a further decline in the number of pig farms but an increase of the pig herd. North-Rhine Westphalia state, for example, experienced a growth of the total pig inventory of 0.5% to 5.9 million in the 12 months until the end of October. Similarly, in Brandenburg state in the east of the country, the number of pigs increased by 5.9% to 585,000.
ISN concluded, “The 4 states that so far have published figures count for over two-thirds of the total German pig herd and for 60% of all sows. The number of pig farms decreases further while the pig herd shows a slight growth. The increase in the number of sows is remarkable, which will be about 2-3% for Germany as a whole.” ISN classified that development as “noteworthy,” bearing in mind current challenges in the Germany’s pig production.
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