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Dutch piglet exports recorded a 20% decline in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, falling from 1,581,462 to 1,263,719 animals.
Spain remains the main destination, with 560,593 Dutch piglets imported in Q1 2026, although this figure represents a 30% decrease compared to the 804,669 recorded in the same period of 2025. This trend coincides with the outbreak of African swine fever in Spain in November 2025, a factor that has influenced movement dynamics and demand at the beginning of 2026.
Germany ranks second with 531,284 piglets, also showing a decline (-9.8%) compared to the 588,846 recorded in the first quarter of the previous year, reinforcing the downward trend observed in this market.
Belgium remains the third destination with stable volumes (99,203 in 2026 vs. 99,481 in 2025), while other markets show lower figures. Notably, Italy has more than doubled its imports of Dutch piglets during this first quarter compared to the same period of the previous year (18,483 vs. 7,389), whereas countries such as Austria (17,644), Luxembourg (12,245), and Romania (11,036) have reduced their imports by 7.7%, 8.5%, and 69%, respectively.
Overall, the first-quarter data reflect a significant contraction in Dutch piglet exports, with declines across the main destinations.
April 8, 2026 / 333 Editorial Team based on RVO data.
