Pork market summary 2024

This page provides a snapshot of key information from the pork market in 2024.

GB prices

The GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) for 2024 was 209.63 pence per kg, down 3.56% on the previous year.

In 2024, the GB All Pig Price (APP) was 211.11 pence per kg, down 3.08% on the previous year.

Figure 1. GB standard pig prices (p/kg)

*EU spec prices
Price quoted is 12-month average for Jan–Dec 2024. Graphs show weekly prices.

Figure 2. GB all pig prices (p/kg)

UK slaughterings

UK clean pig slaughterings in 2024 totalled 10,331 thousand head, up 281,000 on the previous year.

Sows and adult boar slaughterings in the UK in 2024 were 208.9 thousand head, down 2,500 head on 2023.

Figure 3. UK slaughterings ('000 head)

Source: Defra, 12 months ending December 2024

UK self-sufficiency

The UK’s self-sufficiency for pork in 2024 was 58.5%, up 0.5 percentage points from 2023.

Figure 4. UK self-sufficiency (%)

Self sufficiency = Production / consumption (where consumption is production + imports - exports)

Source: AHDB
Calculations based on data from Defra, UK HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC.

Global prices

The EU grade E pig price for 2024 was 176.44 pence per kg deadweight, down 10.9% on the previous year.

The 2024 German sow price was 139.22 pence per kg, down 15.9% on 2023.

The US barrow/gilt price for 2024 was 106.19 pence per kg, up 2.0% on the previous year.

The global pork export price, based upon shipments from the EU, Brazil, Canada and USA in 2024 was 230.02 pence per kg, marginally up on the previous year by 0.1%.

Figure 5. Global prices (p/kg deadweight)

*Based on EU, Brazil, Canada and US exports
Data quoted is 12-month average for Jan–Dec 2024.

GB retail sales

In 2024, 916.1 thousand tonnes of pork were sold in the GB retail sector, with £840 million spent on primary pork sales, the retail price of which decreased by 2.1% on 2023.

The retail price of processed pork went up by 2.9% in 2024 against 2023, with sales totalling £4.12 billion.

Other pork products – which includes sous vide, ready to cook and ready meals – accounted for sales of £1.72 billion in 2024. The retail prices of these commodities were up by 3.2% on average compared to the previous year.

Figure 6. GB retail sales

Primary pork includes steaks, roasting joints, chops, mince, belly and pork ribs.
Processed pork includes bacon, gammon, burgers/grills, sausages and sliced cooked meats.
Other pork includes added value products (sous vide, marinades and ready to cook), ready meals, chilled main meal accompaniments, pie, pastries, snacks, canned pork and all other pork products (excluding pizza).

Source: Kantar, 52 w/e 24 Dec 2024, GB household consumption spend.

UK trade

In 2024, the UK exported 155,349 tonnes of pig meat worldwide, of which 59% went to the EU.

UK exports of pig offal exports amounted to 142,737 tonnes in 2024, with 23% of this heading to the EU.

Figure 7. UK trade: Pig meat and pig offal (tonnes)

Figure 8. UK trade (%) with the EU compared to the rest of the world

*Pig meat = fresh or frozen pork, bacon, processed hams and sausages

Source: UK HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC. Further publication of the trade flow information is prohibited unless expressly permitted by Trade Data Monitor LLC. Year ending December 2024.