September 21, 2009
British pig industry on the way to recovery
Pig census results report a 5.5 percent increase in the English breeding herd during the past twelve months, data from UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show.
The census results estimate the English breeding herd in June 2009 at 432,000 breeding pigs an increase of 22,000 from a year earlier and approaching June 2007 levels.
The results are a welcome indication of the industry recovering from the feed crisis during 2007 and 2008 which at its peak witnessed producers losing up to GBP26 (US$42.22) per pig produced.
The increase in breeding herd is soon to be reflected in the finishing herd due to the lag in the production cycle but results do indicate an increase of almost 3 percent in pigs up to 50 kilograms liveweight.
Mick Sloyan, director of British Pig Executive (BPEX) said that while census results are only provisional, it indicate a degree of confidence in the industry following the immense financial challenge of sharp rises in feed costs during 2007-08.
US$1 = GBP0.61 (Sep 21)
