UK pig sector rebounds into the black

The British pig industry is back in the black, productivity also sees improvements, according to British Pig Executive (BPEX) director Mick Sloyan.

The deadweight average pig price (DAPP) now stands around 143 pence (US$2.08) and is rising, while feed prices have levelled off, leaving a positive average per pig of around GBP4 (US$5.72). The margin fell in the second half of last year, but has been on an upward trend since January.

Sloyan noted that the number of pigs per sow per year recorded has risen over the last year and is averaging more than 22, adding that the top 10% are managing 27 pigs per sow per year.

BPEX is aiming to tackle the difference by launching the Two-tonne Sow campaign later this year to help the English pig industry compete more effectively. The challenge will be for producers to increase the amount of pig meat produced per sow per year to an average of 2,000kg by 2012.

The average carcass weight per sow per year for Great Britain is 1,608kg compared with the EU average of 2,000kg.

BPEX knowledge transfer research and development manager Mike Varley said that closing the performance gap was vital to ensure long-term competitiveness.

Additionally, the association has developed a sow productivity calculator for producers to work out where their output of pig meat per sow per year currently stands.