February 23, 2007

EU pork production growth to experience slow growth

EU pork production is predicted to increase from 21.9m tonnes in 2006 to 22.6m tonnes by 2013, a 3.2 percent increase, a British Pig Executive (BPEX) report said.

The growth is slower than that experienced in the 1990s, due to higher feed prices and more competition from the poultry industry.

However, pork consumption would remain stable for now and per capita consumption would increase in future, the report said.

European Commission figures show that per capita meat consumption in the EU is expected to rise just 1 percent from 85.3 kg/head to 86.8 kg in 2013, with pork leading as the most consumed meat in the EU.

Both exports and imports are expected to fall, while pork prices, currently at relatively low levels, are expected to rise again in the face of rising feed prices. Rising prices are also expected to cause tighter margins for EU producers in the region.