ISN (Schweine.net) reports that Germany's pork market is facing instability as only a 1 percent increase in imports has been observed in the first half of the year, with exports dropping significantly by 23 percent according to AMI.

Around 75 percent of the imported pigs are reportedly piglets and included in the total imports are breeders and those heading to slaughter.

This year, Germany's primary supplier is Denmark which has taken the place of the Netherlands. The Dutch sow population has seen a sharp drop recently which may account for the change in primary suppliers to Germany. Though a drop has been noticed amongst a number of suppliers, the decline in Denmark's pig population is less pronounced.

Regarding exports, 1.02 million pigs were exported between January and June 2019, 23 percent lower than during the same period in 2018. The reason for this is not necessarily demand, but that the German herd has decreased in size.

Read the full report here.