EU livestock output set to decline in 2026 as pig sector expands
Pig output expected to increase, led by Spain
EUROPE – Livestock production across the European Union is forecast to decline for most animal categories in 2026, with pigs standing out as the only segment expected to record growth.
Data released by Eurostat indicates that gross indigenous production of cattle is set to reach 11.4 million head in the second half of 2026, down 0.5 million from the same period in 2025, a 4.2% decline.
While cattle numbers are projected to contract, pig production is expected to move in the opposite direction, with output in the final quarter of 2026 estimated at 61.2 million head, a 3.2% year-on-year increase.
France is expected to remain the leading cattle producer in the bloc, accounting for 23.1% of total EU output during the second half of the year, despite a slight reduction of 0.4% to 2.63 million head.
Elsewhere, production trends among key producers show mixed movement, with Germany forecast to record a 0.6% decline to 1.7 million head, Ireland facing a sharper contraction of 5.2% to 0.9 million, and Spain expected to increase cattle output by 2.7% to 1.1 million head.
Pig production trends
In contrast to the cattle sector, Spain is projected to retain its position as the EU’s largest pig producer, with output anticipated to reach 15.8 million head in the fourth quarter of 2026, representing 25.7% of the bloc’s total and a 12.0% rise from the same period a year earlier.
Other major producers are also expected to post gains, including Germany with a 3.8% increase to 9.5 million head, Denmark with a 3.1% rise to 8.0 million, and France with a 2.3% increase to 5.6 million pigs.
Vietnam targets export growth
Separately, Vietnam is working toward raising the value of its livestock exports to US$1 billion as production expands and access to international markets improves.
The country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment held a meeting on March 12 to review disease management measures and outline plans for long-term development of the livestock sector.
Government figures show that total meat production rose from 6.85 million tonnes in 2021 to 8.3 million tonnes in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. Output is estimated to have reached approximately 8.66 million tonnes in 2025.
At the same time, domestic consumption has continued to climb, with per capita meat intake increasing from 69.6 kg in 2021 to about 87.6 kg in 2025, driven largely by higher pork and poultry consumption.
Pork intake per person rose from 45.7 kg to 54.9 kg over the period, while poultry consumption increased from 21.9 kg to 25.8 kg, whereas demand for beef and buffalo meat remained largely unchanged at around 6.3 kg per person annually.
Egg consumption also increased from 178.9 to about 212 units per person each year, while fresh milk intake rose from 10.8 litres to nearly 12.95 litres per capita.
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