Germany’s meat production shows rise in 2024 after years of decline

GERMANY – Germany’s meat production is increasing in 2024, marking the first rise in seven years, but overall output remains significantly lower than its previous peak.

Data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) shows that total meat production has grown by 1.4% to 6.9 million tonnes (mt).

In 2016, Germany’s commercial slaughterhouses processed 8.4mt of meat, meaning the current volume is still a quarter lower than the record level.

A total of 48.7 million pigs, sheep, horses, goats, and cattle have been slaughtered in the country this year.

Pork remains the dominant segment, with 44.6 million pigs processed, reflecting a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year.

The number of pigs raised and slaughtered within Germany has risen by 1.6% to 43.3 million, while the number of imported pigs processed in the country has dropped by 9.2% to 1.3 million.

Pork production has reached approximately 4.3mt in 2024, up by 1.9% from the previous year.

Despite this increase, production remains 1.3mt lower than in 2016, translating to a 24.9% decline over the years.

The beef sector has seen little change, with the number of cattle slaughtered rising slightly by 0.1% to three million animals.

However, total beef production has increased by 1.2% to 1mt, largely due to higher average slaughter weights.

Poultry meat output has also grown, with production reaching 1.6mt in 2024, a slight rise from the previous year.

This increase is driven by a 1.8% growth in young broiler meat production, which has reached 1.1mt.

In contrast, turkey meat production has fallen by 2.1% to 408,100 tonnes.

A total of 626.7 million young broiler chickens and 27.1 million soup chickens have been slaughtered this year.

Additionally, 30.2 million turkeys and 9.3 million ducks have been processed.

Meanwhile, the halal meat market in Germany is attracting international investors, with UK-based Perwyn expanding its French halal brand Isla Délice into the country.

The firm has acquired German meat company Gürkan, aiming to strengthen its presence in one of Europe’s key halal markets.

Perwyn has stated that Germany offers strong growth potential for halal products, particularly in the modern retail sector.

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