November 22, 2024
UK swine slaughterings and pork production surge ahead of 2023 levels
UK swine slaughterings and pork production continue to outpace 2023 figures, according to the latest slaughter statistics from the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Clean swine slaughterings in October 2024 reached 966,000 head, marking an 8.9% increase compared to the same month in 2023. Pork production also saw a rise, totalling 90,000 tonnes, up 9.2% year-on-year. This increase reflects higher carcase weights contributing to the overall production figures.
The weekly average of clean swine slaughtered during October stood at 218,000 head, a 9% rise from September's weekly average of 200,000 head. Seasonal trends partly account for this increase in weekly throughput.
This growth builds on a sustained upward trend in UK swine slaughterings throughout 2024. In September, the monthly figure reached 855,000 head, which represented a 5.2% increase year-on-year.
Sow and boar slaughterings also rose in October, totalling 20,000 head, a 3% increase compared to October 2023. This figure is higher than the 18,000 head recorded in September 2024.
The UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reports that estimated Great Britain (GB) slaughterings in November have continued this upward trajectory. During the week ending November 9, throughput rose by 6,000 head from the previous week to reach 178,020 head. This is more than 8,000 higher than the same period in 2023 and 3,000 above 2022 figures. However, the AHDB cautions that these estimates remain subject to revision.
- Pig World
