June 25, 2024

More than five million farm pigs in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as of early May

There were 5.77 million pigs on farms in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as of May 3.

According to the German state's statistical office, based on preliminary results of the representative pig census, the number of pigs fell by 1.4% compared to 5.85 million pigs in November 2023. Around 5,270 farms in North Rhine-Westphalia had at least 50 pigs or 10 breeding sows in May this year.

The number of finishing pigs weighing between 50-80 kilogrammes increased by 7% to 1.27 million animals. Overall, the number of finishing pigs rose by 0.7% to 2.78 million animals, meaning fattening pigs accounted for almost 50% of the total pig population in North Rhine-Westphalia.

There were decreases in the number of piglets (1.58 million; -4.7%) and breeding pigs over 50 kilogrammes live weight (334,600 animals; -0.6%).

The number of young pigs (under 50 kilogrammes live weight) fell by 1.7% to 1.08 million animals.

Since May 2014, the number of pig farms in North Rhine-Westphalia has fallen by 34.4%. The number of animals has fallen by 21.8% in the same period.

- IT NRW