January 5, 2007

British pork industry sees improvement in production

The British pig industry deserves a pat on the back for showing significant improvement although there is still a lot of room before it would be able to catch up with its European counterparts, according to the latest edition of the annual pan-European cost of production analysis produced by the British Pig Executive (BPEX).

British actual cost of hog production fell by about 7p per kg to 104.4 due to lower feed prices and improved performance, however the gain is negated by the fact that other EU competitors enjoyed similar advantages as well. Overall the EU average was 94.5p per kg.

Hog prices from other countries such as Brazil, Canada, the US are all significantly below EU levels.

BPEX Chief Executive Mick Sloyan said efforts by British pig producers to invest in better herd health and improved competitiveness are paying off.

However, the report highlighted the need to continue to bridge the gap with the industry's European competitors, Sloyan said.

The report said the number of pigs weaned per sow in Great Britain continued to improve in 2005, due to improvements in pigs born alive/litter and in litters/sow. However, these figures are still below the EU average.

Post-weaning mortality remains relatively high in Britain, but it fell significantly between 2004 and 2005 as incidences of PMWS were reduced, continuing in 2006.

Although the average daily liveweight gain in finishing herds has been relatively static, that in the rearing herd showed a substantial improvement.

Carcase meat produced per sow in Great Britain was 1.44 tonnes in 2005, significantly below the overall EU average of 1.84 tonnes. Still, it showed an increase from 1.35 tonnes in 2002.