May 7, 2018

EU pig slaughterings up 7% in January

EU pig slaughterings in January totalled 23.3 million head, up 7% from the same month last year (there was an extra working day in January this year, however), the latest figures from Eurostat showed, according to AHDB Pork. Even on a per-working-day basis, slaughterings were 2% higher than year-earlier levels.

Carcase weights were also heavier year-on-year, which pushed overall pig meat production 9% higher than year-earlier levels at 2.19 million tonnes. This supports reports of ample supplies on the EU market in the new year, according to the pork division of the UK levy body Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board.

AHDB Pork noted that the higher supply level was not met by increased demand, and hence EU pig prices declined by €6 (US$7.16)/100kg during the month.

Spain was the highest contributor to the rise in EU slaughterings, with throughputs 11% higher than January 2017 at 5 million head.