The Danish pig sector continues to grow despite challenging market conditions. In 2025, pig production, slaughter numbers and exports all increased, with this positive trend continuing into the first half of 2026. 

According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, citing Statistics Denmark’s pig census of 1 July 2026, total pig population increased by 2.5% year on year to just 12.2 million animals.

Slaughter numbers are also on the rise. In the first half of 2026, Danish slaughterhouses processed 8.3% more pigs than during the same period in 2025. By way of comparison, pig slaughtering across the EU increased by just 1.6% over the same period. Against this positive trend, the Danish Agriculture & Food Council remains optimistic about the outlook for the full year. Total pig production, including the number of pigs slaughtered and those exported, is forecast to increase by 1.9 million animals to 33.8 million pigs in 2026.  Slaughter numbers alone are expected to rise by 1.6 million animals.

Strong growth in pork exports

The Danish pig sector is also performing strongly in export markets. According to the Danish Agriculture & Food Council, exports of pork, by-products and processed pig meat products totalled almost 732,000 tonnes in the first of 2026, an increase of approximately 68,000 tonnes compared with the same period in 2025.

Exports to EU member states reached 396,000 tonnes, up by 41,000 tonnes year-on-year. Poland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden were the main export destinations. Demand within the EU was primarily concentrated on pork cuts, whole and half carcasses. 

Exports to non-EU markets also recorded solid growth. In the first half of 2026, Denmark exported almost 336,000 tonnes of pork, by-products and processed products to countries outside the European Union, an increase of 26,700 tonnes compared with the same period in 2025.

China and the UK were the leading non-EU export destinations. Shipments to the UK consisted mainly of pork cuts and bacon, while exports to China were dominated by by-products and pork cuts.

According to the European Commission, Denmark is the EU’s second-largest exporter of pork to non-EU markets, behind Spain.