April 14, 2025

UK produced 244,500 tonnes of pork in January-March period

In the first three months of 2025 (January - March), the United Kingdom has produced 244,500 tonnes of pork, according to the latest Defra data, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board noted.

This is a substantial gain of nearly 15,000 tonnes (6.4%) compared to the same period last year. Although it is worth noting that Q1 2024 volumes were the lowest recorded since 2017. It is usual to see volumes ease in Q1 versus Q4, following the high demand for the pork category at Christmas. Between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, there was a drop of 5,000 tonnes.

Both slaughter numbers and carcase weights have driven the trend in production.

UK clean pig kill totalled 2.59 million head during the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of almost 136,000 head (5.5%). As pigs are often pulled forward for slaughter to meet Christmas demand, quarterly numbers fell 111,000 head (Q1 2025 versus Q4 2024).

Meanwhile, carcase weights have continued to march on upwards, continuing trends seen through 2024. The average dressed carcase weight for January – March 2025 was 91.5 kilogrammes, 1kg heavier than year earlier weights and up almost 2kg compared to the last three months of 2024.

- AHDB