Canadian pig producers report 10.2 percent decline in pig numbers

Canadian pig producers have reported a record decline in pig numbers over a one year period to 12.4 million head, 10.2 percent below the 13.8 million pigs recorded on the January 1, 2008, according to Statistics Canada.

Current forecast shows modest increases for both Canadian beef and pork production during 2009, reflecting increased domestic marketing and declines in live slaughter and feeder animal exports to the US.

Optimism has also increased due to the lower Canadian dollar.

Meanwhile, in November 2008, the French total pig herd stood at 14.8 million head, a fall of 1.2 percent since 2007, and it is expected to lead to a 1.6 percent decline in French pork production in 2009.

French government statistics agency Agreste said in a report that in 2008 there were 176,000 less pigs in the French herd as compared with year earlier levels.

Breeding pig numbers were down 2.9 percent, and that further declines in this herd can be expected.

The reduction in sow numbers has also been evident across other European pig herds.

In Germany, the biggest EU producer, a 6 percent fall in breeding numbers was recorded.