The decline of pig farms in Germany: Detailed analysis of the November 2024 report

Germany's agricultural sector is experiencing a significant shift, with a notable decline in the number of pig farms, cattle, and sheep, according to the German Ministry of Agriculture's livestock survey. Between 2014 and 2024, there was a 41.7% decrease in pig farms, a 25.2% drop in pig population, a 17.9% reduction in cattle numbers, a 16.4% decrease in dairy cows, a 36.4% decline in dairy farms, and a 5.9% decrease in sheep. Despite these changes, the pig population has remained relatively stable through an increase in the average farm size. This trend raises concerns for the sustainability of the rural sector and long-term food security.

The number of pig farms in Germany continues to decline at an alarming rate. According to preliminary data from the livestock survey of the German Ministry of Agriculture, as of November 3, 2024, the country had 15,600 pig farms, which is a decrease of 3.4% (600 fewer farms) compared to November 2023. This phenomenon is not new: over the past 10 years, the number of companies has decreased by 41.7%, i.e. around 11,200 farms have disappeared since 2014. Despite the decline in the number of farms, the pig population in Germany has remained relatively stable. As of November 2024, there were 21.2 million pigs, a figure that barely changed compared to May 2024 (+10,100 animals) and the same period of the previous year (-0.2% or 39,400 fewer animals). However, compared to 2014, the total population has fallen by 25.2%, i.e. 7.2 million fewer animals. This apparent balance is explained by the increase in the average size of farms. In 2014, a farm raised an average of 1,100 pigs, while ...