Pork

GVP $300 million est. Up 12% year-on-year.
Porker and baconer prices were up 7.5% and 12% respectively year-on-year.
Exports of pork from NSW totalled $29.9 million in 2024-25

Pork production increased from the prior year driven by an increased number of animals processed and lift in average carcase weight. Pig prices were higher for the year with porker and baconer prices rising which also coincided with key feed prices easing modestly from levels the year prior. Demand for pork is likely to be further supported in the near term by higher prevailing red meat prices, while the performance of the domestic industry remains heavily dependent on the price margins above feed costs, as well as the prices of imported processed products. GVP reached $300 million est., up 12% year-on-year.

Production

NSW pig production

Production
Avg CW (kg) (RHS)

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Source: ABS (2025)

Pork production increased by 2.3% in 2024-25 from the prior year, totalling 65,171 tonnes. The increase in production was driven primarily by an increased number of animals processed, at 868,000 head - up 1.5% year-on-year. While the average carcase weight also increased marginally to 75.1kg, longer term, the average carcase weight has increased by 3% over the past 10 years.¹⁸ Consistent with the increased average carcase weight, 2024-25 national slaughter weights for baconers (80.7 kg per head) and porkers (51.5 kg per head) were up 1.8% and 3.5% respectively from 2023-24.³⁰ An easing of feed grain prices relative to pig meat prices through 2024-25 likely supported increased animal weights.

As the Australian pig meat industry shifts towards larger operations, domestic pork production is relatively more stable, with four companies now controlling over 40% of the sow herd, as these businesses have long-term contracts with supermarkets. Despite underlying stability there are still a significant number of smaller, independent producers who tend to expand or decrease their herds based on market prices. This contributes to the cyclical nature of pig numbers and slaughtering's, with a four-year cycle evident.¹⁰¹

Prices

The average porker and baconer prices for eastern Australia were up 7.5% and 12% respectively compared to the prior year. Porker prices averaged $4.52/kg^c in 2024-25 while baconer prices averaged $4.43/kg^c. Over the medium term compared with the five-year average to 2023-24, porker and baconer prices were up 12% and 20% respectively in 2024-25. ³⁰

Import prices for pork products were up 6% compared to the previous year, based on the average unit value of imports. ¹⁵⁵ At the same time, prices received by US producers for pigs were up 5% on average year-on-year in 2024-25.¹⁸⁵

Notably feed grain index prices eased relative to pig slaughter prices through 2024-25 which would be expected to support production. Similarly global prices for meals, especially soybean meal, continued to ease from the recent highs seen in 2022-23 given record soybean production from both South and North America.¹⁸⁶ Import unit values for soybean meal through 2024-25 were 17% lower on average than the 2023-24 average import price.¹⁵⁵

Retail pork prices also increased 3.1% in 2024-25. This compared to retail prices recorded for lamb and beef which were up 12% and 4.6% respectively in 2024-25 and therefore maintains increased competitiveness of pork at the retail level.¹⁷ Pork remains the second most consumed meat in Australia after chicken.³¹

Pig and feed grain prices

Feed wheat price index
Eastern porker price index
Eastern Baconer price index

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Source: ABARES (2025) , APL (2025)

Trade

Exports of pork from NSW totalled $29.9 million in 2024-25, up marginally compared to the prior year. In volume terms, exports of pork declined by 4% year-on-year, totalling 7.23 thousand tonnes^b, which was offset by a lift in the average unit value of these exports of 4% to $4,133/tonne^b. Exports to Singapore decreased by 8% year-on-year in volume terms, but still remained the largest market, accounting for 29% of total volume. Singapore takes a greater porportion of higher-quality product, with an average unit value of $7,329/tonne^b in 2024-25, 3% higher year-on-year. Notably exports to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand increased 37% and 27% in value terms, respectively, in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24.¹⁵⁵

NSW pork exports by value

Singapore
Philippines
New Zealand
Malaysia
Papua New Guinea
RoW

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Source: SP Global (2025)

NSW pork exports by volume

Philippines
Singapore
New Zealand
Malaysia
Vietnam
RoW

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Source: SP Global (2025)

Imports of pork remain influential on domestic markets, with imports to NSW increasing by 10% year-on-year to 23.2 thousand tonnes^b in 2024-25, with a value of $302.8 million.¹⁵⁵

NSW pork imports by value

United States
Denmark
Netherlands
Ireland
Canada
RoW

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Source: SP Global (2025)

NSW pork imports by volume

United States
Denmark
Netherlands
Ireland
Canada
RoW

Download data (.XLSX)

Source: SP Global (2025)

Outlook

Global trade of pork is anticipated to be flat in 2025, with total exports estimated to be 1% below 2024 volumes. While export volumes from the US, EU and Canada - Australia's principal sources for imports - are expected to decline by 2% to 4% in 2025, Brazil's pork exports are expected to increase by 5% in 2025, totalling 1.6 million tonnes^c and accounting for 16% of total world pork exports in 2025. Brazil’s growing share of global pork exports has been driven by its low production costs—particularly for labour and feed—and expanded market access, following the recognition of more regions as free from Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Recently, Brazil has also been officially declared FMD-free nationwide without vaccination. A substantial share of Brazil's exports are currently sent as frozen pork and it is anticipated that a number of pork-importing countries will increase their imports of frozen pork products in response to challenging economic conditions being experienced by consumers.¹⁹²¹⁹⁵

Longer-term forecasts for global pork production project a 13% increase over the next 10 years. This growth is anticipated to be primarily generated from the Asia region, including countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, as they recover from African Swine Fever. The Latin American region is anticipated to increase its share of global pig meat production from 15% currently to 20% over the 10-year horizon.²⁸

Demand for pork is expected to be supported in the near term by higher prevailing red meat prices. Domestic industry performance remains reliant on pig price margins being above feed costs, as well as strong marketplace competition from imported processed products.