October 5, 2017

EU pig meat production barely rises in July

EU pig meat production in July remained relatively unchanged year-on-year at 1.8 million tonnes, according to provisional data from the EU Commission, AHDB reported. In the seven months through July, EU pig meat production was just 1% lower than year-earlier levels at 13.4 million tonnes.

Pig supplies were also relatively unchanged on year-earlier levels in July, with slaughterings at just under 20 million head. However, year-to-date figures remain 2% down year-on-year. As slaughterings and production remained unchanged on the year in July, average carcase weights appear to have remained stable.

Carcase weights during the period January-July were heavier than in 2016, partially offsetting the limited throughputs earlier in the year. However, after 20 weeks of consecutive gains, the EU reference pig price started to fall in the week ending July 9, suggesting that the supply and demand balance had started to turn.

Most of the key producing member states recorded year-on-year increases in production in July. The EU's largest pig meat producer, Germany, recorded a 2% uptick in production to 441,000 tonnes. Despite the rise, year-to-date production in Germany remained 2% below year-earlier levels.