In Germany, more pigs have been slaughtered
For the first time in eight years, more pigs were slaughtered in Germany in the first half of 2024 than in the same period the previous year. A total of 21.9 million animals were slaughtered, marking a 0.4% increase, according to the Federal Statistical Office. The amount of pork produced rose by 1.1% to 2.1 million tons.
Before this, the number of pigs slaughtered had been declining since 2016, partly due to changes in eating habits. In the first half of 2016, 7.4 million more pigs were slaughtered and 660,000 tons more pork were produced than in the same period in 2024.
Pork still accounts for 62% of Germany's total meat production. The amounts of beef (+2.5%) and poultry (+1.3%) also increased in the first half of the year. Overall, the total amount of meat grew by 1.3% to 3.4 million tons.
For the first time since the decline in 2016, the number of pigs slaughtered in Germany showed an increase in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. Despite the increase in pork production and pigs slaughtered, the total meat production in Germany as a whole still exceeded the levels of 2024 in the first half of 2016.
