February 29, 2012

EU pig population drops 2% from last year

The latest European pig census, which includes 92% of the total EU pig herd, reveals that the total pig population has decreased 2% from the year before.

A large proportion of pig breeders in most EU Member States have faced the challenge of complying with new welfare regulations which come into force in January 2013, including the partial ban on the use of sow stalls. Many of them have decided to leave the industry or scale back production rather than make the necessary investment in group housing. Others have decided to move from breeding to finishing.

According to the latest European Market Survey, some of the sharpest declines the breeding herd were recorded in Member States of Eastern Europe which have suffered from long-term declines due to lack of profitability.

Last year, fresh and frozen US beef exports were higher than a year ago. Fresh and frozen pork exports also increased by as much as 25% after a slight decrease in 2010. The growth in beef exports was mainly a result of increased shipments to Japan, South Korea and Canada, each of which recorded increases of around one-third. Increased pork shipments to Asia were the primary driver of the growth in export volumes.

Figures from Eurostat reveal that cattle numbers in France in November 2011 were down 3% on the previous year. Adult cattle slaughterings were up 4% between January and November 2011 compared to the previous year.