March 3, 2018

EU pig population up 2% in 2017

The total pig population in the EU (excluding member state Bulgaria) in December 2017 was 149.5 million, up 2% year-on-year, according to the latest census results published by Eurostat, as reported by AHDB Pork.

The number of breeding sows rose to 12.1 million, a modest increase of 1% on the year. This is likely a reflection of the rising pig prices received by European pig producers in early 2017, the pork division of the UK Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board said. 

Of the key pig-producing member states, Poland, the Netherlands and Spain contributed significantly to the overall rise in breeding sows, reporting annual increases of 6%, 4% and 3% respectively.

In contrast, other major producers including Germany and France all remained steady on the year.  The number of in-pig sows was stable, whereas in-pig gilts were up 2%.

AHDB Pork said the overall modest increase in the breeding herd suggests that EU production will be somewhat above 2017 levels, boosting the availability of supplies on the market. Prices are therefore expected to be slightly below those in 2017, when there was a Europe-wide reduction in supplies.

Overall the total pig herd was up on the year, with all the key pig-producing member states increasing their pig populations year-on-year. The Spanish pig population, already the largest in the EU, increased by a further 3%. Poland and Denmark also reported year-on-year increases in their total pig herds by 7% and 4%, respectively.

The number of piglets was 3% above year-earlier levels too, suggesting that EU production has the potential to rise in the short to midterm.