Exports at record level

The food and agriculture sector is one of the most important in Denmark and is also in a good position in the export business. According to the Danish Agriculture and Food Industry Association, the industry exported foods to a value equivalent to nearly EUR 27 billion last year, which is a new record. With an export value of some EUR 4.5 billion, Germany is by far the most important buyer of Danish products, followed by Sweden and Poland. 

Increased revenue from pork exports

The Danish pork sector was able to make the biggest gains in 2023, increasing by an equivalent of around half a billion euros. This is down to a substantial increase in the export of young pigs. Based on information from the Danish Agriculture and Food Industry Association, the pork sector in the kingdom exported nearly 1.7 million tons of pork in 2023, including auxiliary and meat products and livestock. This is around 250,000 tons down on the previous year. On the other hand, export revenue was considerably up in 2023 thanks in part to increased sales prices. The majority of goods, nearly 1.1 million tons, were sold to buyers in European Union countries. Around 610,000 tons went to third-party countries. China is the most important foreign buyer. But this business is still in decline. Pork exports to Sweden and Great Britain remain broadly stable. Last year, the industry supplied nearly 27,000 tons of goods to Sweden and 150,000 tons to the United Kingdom. 

All the statistics for 2023 can be found here:

Statistics (agricultureandfood.co.uk)

A positive prognosis for 2024

Pork exports were down three percent in the first five months of this year. With respect to the overall exports from the Danish food and agriculture industry, Martin Kristian Brauer, Chief Economist at the Danish Agriculture and Food Industry Association, is reckoning on further record results for this year. However, he is predicting a decline in exports for the coming year.