April 6, 2005

Smaller pig breeding herd in UK

Higher feed costs and tougher regulations have led to an 8 percent decline in the UK's pig breeding herd to 475,000 pigs in 2004.

Although price and values are generally stable throughout the EU, the large decline in the UK shows a lack of confidence, said Tony Fowler, senior economic analyst with the Meat and Livestock Commission.

The decrease in the pig herd has also affected the feed industry as every sow and its offspring consume around 2.3 tonnes of feed a year.

Current pork production forecast stands at 614,000 tonnes, and 724,000 tonnes will have to be imported.