France notes a decline in pig slaughter

Pig slaughter in France dropped significantly in the first three months of 2023 compared to previous years. Twelve months in a row, volumes were down significantly (-3.3% in volume and -2.4% in head count). For nearly two years, slaughter volumes in France have been falling in line with the decline in the number of pigs. Given the continued unfavorable weather conditions, as well as the impact of inflation on consumption, domestic demand in France remains rather sluggish at this stage.

In the first two months of 2023, exports of fresh, chilled or frozen pork from France decreased by 15%, or 12 thousand tons, compared to the same period in 2022 tons); in particular, to Italy, the leading direction (-3%, -1 thousand tons), as well as to third countries (-15%, -4 thousand tons), in particular to China (-20%, -2 thousand tons). T). Exports to this country remain volatile, given the development of local production and competition from the US and Brazil. French imports (mainly from EU countries and mainly from Spain) decreased by 3% (-2 thousand tons). Imports from non-EU countries also declined, mainly from the UK (-38%, -2kt).