During the first 39 weeks of 2026 (January to September), the Netherlands exported a total of 274526 pigs for slaughter, compared with the 344100 animals recorded in the same period of 2025, representing a year-on-year decline of 20,2%.
Germany remains by far the main destination for Dutch pigs for slaughter, with 229509 animals exported, compared with 284392 the previous year (-19,3%). The German market accounts for 83,6% of total exports in this category.
Spain recorded a particularly sharp decline of 66,0%, from 41958 imported pigs for slaughter in the first 39 weeks of 2025 to 14252 in the same period of 2026. With this reduction, Spain is no longer the second-largest destination and falls to fourth place, behind Italy and Belgium.
By contrast, exports to Belgium increased by 531,1%, from 2366 to 14931 pigs for slaughter. Shipments to Italy also grew, reaching 15514 animals, an increase of 11,4% compared with the same period last year.
The recent development is part of a long-term downward trend in Dutch exports of pigs for slaughter. In the first 39 weeks of 2016, 2,45 million animals were exported compared with 274526 of the corresponding period of 2026, representing a reduction of 88,8% over ten years.
Evolution of Dutch exports of pigs for slaughter, by destination (weeks 1-39, 2016-2026). Source: 3tres3, based on RVO data.
28 October 2026 / Editorial team 3tres3, based on RVO data.