April 5, 2013

Malta's pig population down 2.3% in 2012

Malta's pig population as of December 2012 amounted to 45,209 heads, down by 2.3% or 1,078 heads over 2011.

Increases of 8.5% and 4.8% in the number of young pigs and breeding stock were mitigated by drops of 9.8% and 4.5% in the number of fattening pigs and piglets.

The census revealed that 111 holdings (-4.3%) were engaged in pig production. Of these, 64.9% raised less than 400 pigs but accounted for 24.4% of total stock, or 11,052 heads. Holdings that raised 400 pigs or more accounted for 34,157 pigs, or 75.6% of the total pig population.

On a regional level, the pig population decreased by 3.6% in Malta but increased by 16.1% in Gozo and Comino. Overall, 41,748 pigs, or 92.3%, were located in Maltese farms, with the Western District accounting for 37.6%. In Gozo and Comino, the pig population amounted to 3,461 heads, or 7.7% of the total stock.