The last decade has been an interesting time for Germany’s animal industry on account of major shifts in meat consumption in the country as well as fluctuating production trends. Despite the fact that meat consumption maintains relative stability (over 7 million tons annually on average), 2022 marks the fourth consecutive year of gradual decline. This downturn contrasts with the initial post-BSE crisis years, where meat production, measured by slaughter volume, saw consistent growth. In 2016, it peaked at just under 9 million metric tons. However, production levels declined in a straight downward trajectory to around 7.6 million tons in 2022. The primary driver behind this decline lies in the significant reduction in pig numbers and pork production as a direct result of African swine fever in 2020. Consumer habits have shifted quite a bit in a short amount of time, which led to the loss of third-country exports. At the same time, there were challenges during COVID-19 such as pig congestion in barns due to slaughter capacity limitations, all contributing to this downward trend. Against this background, conversations around higher animal welfare and environmental standards, coupled with a lack of clear perspectives from the market and politics, have created uncertainty among producers. Consequently, some have ceased pig farming. Despite pork remaining the predominant meat in Germany, per capita consumption has seen a decline from just under 55 kilograms in 1999 to 40.2 kilograms in 2022. In contrast, slaughter volume experienced a steady increase over the past two decades, peaking at around 5.6 million tons in 2016. However, a subsequent decrease has brought production levels to 4.5 million tons in 2022. Notably, despite the African swine fever outbreak in 2020, Germany maintains its status as a net exporter due to the EU’s regional concept, allowing trade from unaffected regions.