Danish pig farmers face lower output on EU measures

The Danish pig farming industry could face reduced production in the years ahead as many farmers have been slow to modernise stalls to meet EU requirements that come into force in 2013.

According to a survey conducted by the Danish Association of Pig Farmers (Landsforeningen Danske Svineproducenters) only 50% of Danish pig farmers currently meet pending EU requirements. Farmers who fail to meet them by 2013 will be forced to reduce their pig stocks.

On the other hand, the Danish Association of Pig Producers forecasts that pig exports will grow by 65% to 13.5 million in 2015 compared to 2009.

Already in 2010 the Danish pig exports to Germany will rise by more than 20% to 9.9 million pigs. The rise in pig exports is attributed to the low prices paid by Danish producers compared to German producers.

Meanwhile, OOO Rask, a unit of Danish investment fund Dan-Invest, will start building a pig farm in the Rasskazovo District of the Tambov Region. Investment in the project will total RUR1 billion (US$34.4 million), according to Rassk head Dmitry Rybakov.