September 13, 2007

German pork production expected to rise 4.5 percent

Pig slaughterings in Germany are predicted to reach a record 52.4 million head in 2007, a 4.5 percent increase on the number last year, according to forecasts by market reporting agency ZMP and the Federal Research Institute (FAL).

Due to higher average slaughter weights, net production of pig meat is forecasted to increase by 4.8 percent to 4.9 million tonnes.

Domestic consumption is likely to increase slightly while exports are expected to hit a record 1.5 million tonnes.

In the first half of 2007, German pig slaughterings were 6.3 percent - 1.6 million  higher than the previous year, at over 26 million head.

The surge was due to the huge influx of imported weaners from the Netherlands and Denmark

As a result of an 11-percent rise in sow slaughter in the period from January-July 2007 compared to the same time last year, German pig production is not expected to expand further next year.