Cattle traders in the Netherlands delivered more pigs abroad last year than in 2022, according to a market report from German swine group ISN. In particular, the export of slaughter pigs to Germany expanded. Piglet exports remained stable overall, but exports to Spain and Romania increased, reports Agra Europe.

According to preliminary data from the Dutch Business Agency (RVO), a total of around 7.09 million animals were sold outside their own national borders in 2023; this corresponded to an increase of 70,800 pieces or 1.0% compared to the previous year. A year earlier, the live export had fallen by a good 500,000 animals or 6.7%.

With a few exceptions, all pigs were marketed within the EU; third-country trade played hardly any role. The export of fattening pigs was mainly responsible for the higher sales figures. This increased by a total of 83,500 animals or 10.2% to 901,500 pieces compared to 2022. The deliveries to the Netherlands' main customer, Germany, expanded greatly, by 47.3% to 815,800 slaughter-ready pigs. Other EU countries, including Belgium, Poland, Italy and Spain, on the other hand, received significantly fewer slaughter pigs from the Netherlands than in 2022.

Two million piglets for Spain

The Netherlands also recorded a significant increase in piglet exports compared to 2022. This was very moderate with 16,300 animals or 0.3% to 5.71 million pieces. Here, too, Germany was the most important customer with around 2.88 million piglets purchased, but deliveries to the federal territory decreased by 65,500 and 2.2% respectively. Even more pronounced was the decline in Dutch piglet sales to Belgium, Poland or Italy, which in some cases more than halved. However, this was compensated by the increase of piglet exports to Spain by around 17% to almost 2 million. In addition, sales in Romania increased by 12% to 173,300 animals.

Fewer slaughter sows sold

On the other hand, the export of Dutch slaughter sows declined. Their sales to other EU countries decreased by around 42,000 sows or 8.7% to 441,000 animals compared to 2022. Although deliveries to the federal territory could be increased by 3.4% to almost 206,000 animals, sales to Spain and Italy fell noticeably. The second most important customer of the Dutch remained Croatia with around 140,300 old sows purchased. The sale of breeding sows, on the other hand, experienced an upswing and increased by a good half compared to 38,600 animals compared to the previous year. With 13,400 pieces, Spain replaced Germany with 11,400 sows delivered as the most important customer. Almost 50% more dams were sold in both countries.

A consequence of the slightly higher live exports, but above all of the stock reduction, was that according to preliminary data from the RVO, pig slaughter in the Netherlands itself decreased significantly compared to 2022, by 944,000 animals or 6.0% to 14.75 million pieces.