July 11, 2014

EU's pork production is picking up slowly after two years of tight supplies, according to the European Commission's Summer 2014 Short-Term Agricultural Outlook.

Following the implementation of group housing for sows in December 2013, the number of breeding sows was still 1.6% lower than 2012 at 15.2 million head.

Declines in Germany (-3%), France (-3.1%), Poland (-5.6%) and Italy (-5%) were partly offset by increases in the Netherlands (+1.3%) and Denmark (+2.4%).

The welfare rules for sows and low profits resulted in a shortfall of piglets going into production, while prices for piglets peaked at €54 (US$12.25) per head in April, 9% above the 2012-13 average.

The Russian ban on EU pork also created uncertainty on the market. As a result, pork production in 2014 is expected to increase marginally by 0.2%.