June 23, 2022

UK pork production up in May

Statistics from the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs showed that 88,600 tonnes of pig meat were produced in the country in May, 6,600 tonnes more than the same month last year and 1,500 tonnes more than the previous month, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

957,000 clean swine were slaughtered, which is 44,500 more than in May of last year and a 5% increase. This May, there were two additional working days.

Carcase weights are still heavier than they were a year ago, but the difference is getting smaller. Average clean weights in the month were 89.3 kg, which is 2.7 kg more than they were a year ago.

The UK's total pork production to date has reached 452,200 tonnes, a 6% increase over this time last year. Weightier carcase weights largely account for the increase in production as the clean pig kill is 4.73 million head, only 1% more annually.

Later in the summer, clean swine throughputs are anticipated to decline, with output expected to drop. The decline will be determined by the degree of contraction in the sow herd.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board