August 10, 2010

EU pig population slides in 2009

The EU pig population at the end of 2009 fell by more than one million or 0.7% from the previous year, to just under 152 million pigs, according to reports by British Pig Executive (BPEX).

However, the picture for pigmeat production raises more serious concerns. Overall, pigmeat production in the EU-27 was just under 21.3 million tonnes last year - a fall of almost 6% compared to 2008.

According to BPEX, this somewhat modest average fall masks massive declines in output in some countries, especially the new Member States of central and east Europe.