September 24, 2015

EU breeding pig herd declines 1% in H1

The pig breeding herd in the European Union declined slightly by 1% during the first half of the year compared with the same period last year, according to provisional figures from Eurostat, AHDB Pork said.

Trends varied between member states, with Belgium and Poland both recording 6% falls in their breeding herds. Germany was also among other countries with fewer sows.

However, sow herds increased in several other countries including Spain, where they grew by 2%, the fastest rise recorded. Spain also has the highest herd among the member states.

The EU breeding herd is not expected to expand in the short term, given that both in-pig and maiden gilt numbers were down by 3% and 2% respectively, said the AHDB Pork, a division of the UK's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

The AHDB Pork said the overall decline in the breeding herd suggested that growth in pig slaughterings should slow in the second half of this year and into next. Nevertheless, it added, no dramatic tightening of supplies could be expected.

The total number of pigs in the first half, meanwhile, was up nearly 2% but that of piglets (under 20kg) was only 1% higher. Pig slaughterings in the same period rose 4% due mainly to a 6% rise in the Spanish herd, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of the overall increase, the AHDB Pork said.