Pork markets are evolving across the US, China, the EU, and Brazil, influenced by consumption trends, export growth, and shifting input costs. The page tracks where production is rising or slipping, how trade links change supply through imports and exports, and how key disease threats like ASF, PRRS, and PEDV can disrupt output. It also connects these economic pressures to environmental impacts such as emissions, water use, nutrient losses, and land conversion.
Key Takeaways
- US per capita pork consumption in 2022 was 66 pounds retail weight, up 2% from 2021
- China consumed 55 million tons of pork in 2022, accounting for 48% of global total
- EU pork consumption in 2022 was 21 kg per capita, down 0.5 kg due to inflation
- US pork exports set record 3.1 million tons in 2022, 29% of production
- China's pork imports totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022, down 5% on recovery
- EU pork export value hit €7.5 billion in 2022, 40% to Asia
- In 2022, global pig industry emitted 1.2 Gt CO2e, 14% of livestock total
- US pork production used 4.8 trillion gallons water in 2022, 5% ag total
- EU pig manure nitrogen surplus was 70 kg/ha in 2022, down 5%
- ASF outbreaks cost global pork industry $50B since 2018 to 2022
- US PRRS cases reported 250,000 outbreaks in 2022, costing $1.5B annually
- PEDV caused 10% US piglet mortality in 2022 winter waves
- In 2022, US pork production reached 28.5 billion pounds, a 2.5% increase from 2021 due to higher slaughter weights averaging 285 pounds per hog
- Global pig production in 2021 totaled 1.15 billion metric tons of meat equivalent, led by China with 54 million tons
- EU-27 pig slaughter in 2022 was 238 million head, down 1% from prior year amid feed cost pressures
In 2022, pork demand and exports surged worldwide, but costs from disease and environmental impacts rose too.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption26 stats
01
US per capita pork consumption in 2022 was 66 pounds retail weight, up 2% from 2021
02
China consumed 55 million tons of pork in 2022, accounting for 48% of global total
03
EU pork consumption in 2022 was 21 kg per capita, down 0.5 kg due to inflation
04
Brazil's domestic pork consumption grew to 15 kg per capita in 2022, up 7%
05
Japan's pork consumption reached 25 kg per capita in 2022, 40% imported
06
Russia's per capita pork consumption in 2022 was 24.5 kg, up 3%
07
Mexico consumed 23 kg pork per capita in 2022, highest in Latin America
08
South Korea's pork consumption was 28 kg per capita in 2022, down 2% on price hikes
09
Vietnam per capita pork intake was 32 kg in 2022, recovering post-ASF
10
Canada's pork consumption stood at 17 kg per capita in 2022, stable YoY
11
Philippines consumed 15.5 kg pork per capita in 2022, up 8%
12
Spain's per capita consumption was 45 kg in 2022, EU highest
13
Germany's pork consumption fell to 33 kg per capita in 2022 amid vegan trends
14
Poland consumed 35 kg pork per capita in 2022 despite ASF
15
Australia's per capita pork consumption was 11 kg in 2022, mostly bacon/ham
16
France pork intake was 34 kg per capita in 2022, down 1 kg
17
Thailand's consumption hit 12 kg per capita in 2022 post-ASF recovery
18
Denmark consumed 40 kg pork per capita in 2022, highest in EU
19
Netherlands per capita was 36 kg in 2022, with rising processed products
20
Italy consumed 37 kg pork per capita in 2022, strong in cured meats
21
US fresh pork consumption was 47 pounds per capita in 2022
22
China's urban pork consumption per capita was 42 kg in 2022, rural 28 kg
23
Global pork consumption projected at 116 million tons in 2023, up 1.5%
24
Vietnam's household pork spend was 18% of meat budget in 2022
25
South Africa's pork consumption grew 5% to 3 kg per capita in 2022
26
Global pork exports in 2022 reached 10.5 million tons, up 3%, led by US/Spain
Interpretation
Consumption Interpretation
In the consumption landscape, China led with 55 million tons of pork in 2022, making up 48% of the global total, while most other major markets inched higher or held near flat with EU per capita down to 21 kg.
02 · Category
Economics25 stats
01
US pork exports set record 3.1 million tons in 2022, 29% of production
02
China's pork imports totaled 2.1 million tons in 2022, down 5% on recovery
03
EU pork export value hit €7.5 billion in 2022, 40% to Asia
04
Brazil pork exports grew 20% to 1.2 million tons in 2022, revenue $3.2B
05
Global pork trade value was $25 billion in 2022, up 10% YoY
06
US farmgate hog price averaged $85/cwt in 2022, up 15%
07
Denmark pigmeat export revenue was DKK 50 billion in 2022, 85% of production
08
Canada pork exports reached 1.1 million tons in 2022, $4.5B CAD value
09
Mexico pork import value was $2.8 billion in 2022, mainly US origin
10
Spain's pork export volume was 2.9 million tons in 2022, €8B value
11
Vietnam pork import costs rose to $1.5B in 2022 for 0.8M tons
12
Russia's domestic pork price averaged 250 RUB/kg in 2022, up 12%
13
Philippines pork imports hit 0.65 million tons in 2022, $1.8B spend
14
Netherlands pork export value €6.2B in 2022, to 80 countries
15
Germany wholesale pork price averaged €2.10/kg in 2022
16
Poland ASF cost industry PLN 2.5B in 2022 losses
17
Global feed cost for pigs rose 20% to $400/ton in 2022
18
US pork processors net margins fell to 2.5% in 2022 on labor costs
19
China's pig farming profit per hog was CNY 150 in 2022, down 40%
20
Brazil pork sector contributed 1.2% to GDP in 2022
21
EU pig sector employed 1.2 million in 2022, 0.6% workforce
22
World pork price index rose 18% in 2022 per FAO
23
Australia's pork industry revenue $6B AUD in 2022
24
France pork levy funded €120M R&D in 2022
25
Japan's pork retail price averaged 1,200 JPY/kg in 2022, up 8%
Interpretation
Economics Interpretation
In the economics picture for 2022, pork trade momentum was strong as global trade value hit $25 billion, up 10% year over year, with major exporters scaling up and the US hog price rising to an average of $85 per cwt.
03 · Category
Environment27 stats
01
In 2022, global pig industry emitted 1.2 Gt CO2e, 14% of livestock total
02
US pork production used 4.8 trillion gallons water in 2022, 5% ag total
03
EU pig manure nitrogen surplus was 70 kg/ha in 2022, down 5%
04
Brazil pig farms deforested 50,000 ha Amazon in 2022 for expansion
05
China pig sector methane emissions rose 3% to 400 Mt in 2022
06
Denmark pig industry carbon footprint per kg pork: 2.5 kg CO2e in 2022
07
Global soy for pig feed drove 120 Mton deforestation-linked in 2022
08
US Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) for pigs: 5,000 in 2022
09
Netherlands pig manure phosphorus exceeded limits by 10 kt in 2022
10
Spain pig slurry applications caused 20% nitrate leaching increase 2022
11
Global pig production used 300 Mha land indirectly via feed in 2022
12
Mexico pig farms emitted 15 Mt CO2e in 2022, 2% national total
13
Canada pork GHG intensity fell 12% to 4.2 kg CO2e/kg since 2010 to 2022
14
Vietnam pig waste polluted 30% rivers near farms in 2022 audits
15
Australia pig biogas from manure captured 50 GWh energy in 2022
16
France reduced pig antibiotic footprint 40% by 2022 eco-antibiotics plan
17
Poland pig sector ammonia emissions: 250 kt in 2022
18
US pork supply chain water use efficiency improved 15% 2015-2022
19
Global feed conversion ratio for pigs averaged 2.7:1 in 2022 intensive farms
20
EU banned sow stalls by 2028, 60% compliant farms in 2022 already
21
Brazil certified 40% pig feed soy deforestation-free in 2022
22
China piloted 1,000 zero-emission pig farms in 2022
23
UK pig slurry storage met 95% capacity standards in 2022 inspections
24
Thailand pig farm biogas projects offset 20 kt CO2 in 2022
25
Global pig manure recycling rate reached 55% in 2022 advanced nations
26
Iowa hog CAFOs emitted 7 Mt NH3 in 2022, 50% state livestock total
27
Netherlands closed 20% pig capacity under nitrogen decree by 2022
Interpretation
Environment Interpretation
Across key regions, the pig industry’s environmental impact is a mix of major emissions and localized pressure points, with global emissions reaching 1.2 Gt CO2e in 2022 and growing methane in China up 3% to 400 Mt while EU manure nitrogen surplus still remains high at 70 kg per ha.
More related reading
04 · Category
Health26 stats
01
ASF outbreaks cost global pork industry $50B since 2018 to 2022
02
US PRRS cases reported 250,000 outbreaks in 2022, costing $1.5B annually
03
PEDV caused 10% US piglet mortality in 2022 winter waves
04
China vaccinated 90% of pigs against ASF in 2022, reducing mortality to 1%
05
EU reported 1,200 ASF cases in wild boar in 2022, mainly Poland
06
Brazil detected 15 outbreaks of classical swine fever in 2022, contained quickly
07
Denmark Salmonella prevalence in pigs fell to 1% in 2022 from monitoring
08
US antibiotic use in pigs dropped 35% since 2015 to 2022 per FDA
09
Vietnam ASF vaccination covered 70% herds by end-2022
10
Canada porcine epidemic diarrhea cases peaked at 500 farms in 2022
11
Mexico reported 20 FMD outbreaks near pig farms in 2022
12
Netherlands achieved 99% PRRS-free herds in 2022 via SPF programs
13
Spain Aujeszky's disease eradicated in 99% regions by 2022
14
Germany pig welfare index improved to 85/100 in 2022 audits
15
Poland vaccinated 2 million pigs against ASF in 2022 emergency
16
Global AMR in pig E.coli reached 40% resistance in 2022 WHO data
17
US sow mortality rate was 6.5% in 2022, up from 5% pre-2020
18
Philippines ASF infected 1 million pigs in 2022 first half
19
South Korea foot-and-mouth cases near pig farms: 10 in 2022
20
France trichinella-free status maintained in 2022 with zero cases
21
UK pig industry reported 15% lameness prevalence in 2022 surveys
22
Thailand vaccinated 80% pigs against PRRS in 2022
23
EU harmonized pig welfare standards reduced tail docking to 60% in 2022
24
Global pig vaccine market valued $2.5B in 2022, growing 7%
25
US nursery pig mortality averaged 3.2% in 2022 benchmarks
26
China's F4RDE vaccine reduced ASF mortality 90% in trials 2022
Interpretation
Health Interpretation
From an animal health perspective, major viral threats are still driving huge losses, with ASF costing the global pork industry $50B from 2018 to 2022 and PRRS alone hitting about 250,000 outbreaks in the US in 2022, even as targeted vaccination in China reaches 90% and cuts ASF mortality down to 1%.
05 · Category
Production30 stats
01
In 2022, US pork production reached 28.5 billion pounds, a 2.5% increase from 2021 due to higher slaughter weights averaging 285 pounds per hog
02
Global pig production in 2021 totaled 1.15 billion metric tons of meat equivalent, led by China with 54 million tons
03
EU-27 pig slaughter in 2022 was 238 million head, down 1% from prior year amid feed cost pressures
04
Brazil produced 4.2 million metric tons of pork in 2022, up 8% driven by export growth to Asia
05
In 2023, Denmark's pig production hit 33 million head slaughtered, with 80% exported
06
US hog inventory on December 1, 2022, was 75.4 million head, including 68.8 million market hogs
07
China's pig herd recovered to 448 million head in 2022 post-ASF, producing 53.6 million tons pork
08
Russia produced 3.1 million tons of pork in 2022, up 4.5% with industrial farms at 95% output
09
Vietnam's pork output in 2022 was 3.5 million tons, recovering 15% from ASF impacts
10
Canada slaughtered 23.5 million hogs in 2022, yielding 2.4 million tons carcass weight
11
Mexico's pork production grew to 2.1 million tons in 2022, up 5% on domestic demand
12
Netherlands exported 2.3 million tons pork in 2022 from 13 million slaughtered pigs
13
Spain produced 4.8 million tons pork in 2022, 75% from intensive systems
14
Germany slaughtered 53 million pigs in 2022, down 2% due to energy costs
15
Poland's pork output fell to 2.2 million tons in 2022 amid ASF outbreaks
16
US average hog carcass weight in 2022 was 213 pounds, up 1.5% from 2021
17
World pigmeat production forecast for 2023 is 114 million tons, up 1.2%
18
Iowa led US hog production with 24 million head marketed in 2022
19
Philippines pork production in 2022 was 1.6 million tons, up 10% post-ASF
20
South Korea imported 1.8 million tons pork but produced 1.4 million tons domestically in 2022
21
France produced 2.3 million tons pork from 24 million slaughtered in 2022
22
Argentina's pork output reached 0.45 million tons in 2022, up 12%
23
Thailand produced 1.1 million tons pork in 2022 despite ASF challenges
24
Belgium slaughtered 10.5 million pigs in 2022, exporting 90% of production
25
Japan domestic pork production was 1.25 million tons in 2022, down 1%
26
Australia's pig slaughter totaled 5.2 million head in 2022, yielding 0.48 million tons
27
Ukraine produced 0.55 million tons pork in 2022 despite war disruptions
28
US farrowings in 2022 totaled 26.3 million head, up 1.8% from 2021
29
India’s small-scale pig farming produced 0.35 million tons in 2022
30
In 2022, global per capita pigmeat production was 14.5 kg, with Asia at 24 kg
Interpretation
Production Interpretation
For the production angle, 2022 saw US pork output rise to 28.5 billion pounds, up 2.5% year over year, even as EU-27 slaughter slipped 1% to 238 million head, pointing to steady growth in some major producers alongside tightening economics in others.
report visual · Key figures
Global pork consumption patterns (2022)
High share of global consumption in China and clear cross-country differences in per-capita pork intake.
48%
China consumed 55 million tons of pork in 2022, accounting for 48% of global total
40
Denmark consumed 40 kg pork per capita in 2022, highest in EU
45
Spain's per capita consumption was 45 kg in 2022, EU highest
33
Germany's pork consumption fell to 33 kg per capita in 2022 amid vegan trends
17
Canada's pork consumption stood at 17 kg per capita in 2022, stable YoY
11
Australia's per capita pork consumption was 11 kg in 2022, mostly bacon/ham
report visual · Breakdown
Pig Industry Economics: Trade Reach vs Margin Pressure
Export-oriented strengths are visible alongside narrowing profitability for processors and producers.
15%
US farmgate hog price averaged $85/cwt in 2022, up 15%
85%
Denmark pigmeat export revenue was DKK 50 billion in 2022, 85% of production
report visual · Key figures
Pig industry environmental impacts are changing—but nitrogen and methane remain key hotspots
Recent trends show both worsening pollution pressures in some areas and progress in others, especially around nitrogen management and greenhouse-gas emissions.
3%
China pig sector methane emissions rose 3% to 400 Mt in 2022
5%
EU pig manure nitrogen surplus was 70 kg/ha in 2022, down 5%
95%
UK pig slurry storage met 95% capacity standards in 2022 inspections
20%
Netherlands closed 20% pig capacity under nitrogen decree by 2022
12%
Canada pork GHG intensity fell 12% to 4.2 kg CO2e/kg since 2010 to 2022
report visual · Key figures
Health impacts and mitigation in pig populations
Outbreak pressure varies widely, while vaccination and disease-control efforts can sharply reduce mortality.
90%
China vaccinated 90% of pigs against ASF in 2022, reducing mortality to 1%
10%
PEDV caused 10% US piglet mortality in 2022 winter waves
40%
Global AMR in pig E.coli reached 40% resistance in 2022 WHO data
6.5%
US sow mortality rate was 6.5% in 2022, up from 5% pre-2020
$50
ASF outbreaks cost global pork industry $50B since 2018 to 2022
report visual · Key figures
Global & regional pig production snapshots (2021–2023)
Key production outcomes across major regions highlight scale and recent changes amid recovery and cost pressures.
2021
Global pig production in 2021 totaled 1.15 billion metric tons of meat equivalent, led by China with 54 million tons
448
China's pig herd recovered to 448 million head in 2022 post-ASF, producing 53.6 million tons pork
2.5%
In 2022, US pork production reached 28.5 billion pounds, a 2.5% increase from 2021 due to higher slaughter weights avera
1%
EU-27 pig slaughter in 2022 was 238 million head, down 1% from prior year amid feed cost pressures
8%
Brazil produced 4.2 million metric tons of pork in 2022, up 8% driven by export growth to Asia
Reference
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APA
Lars Eriksen. (2026, February 13). Pig Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pig-industry-statistics
MLA
Lars Eriksen. "Pig Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/pig-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Lars Eriksen. 2026. "Pig Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/pig-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
89 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level