A strong Q1 for UK pig meat production: Pork market update

• UK clean pig slaughter stood at 925,500 head in March 2026
• UK pig production totalled 256,800 tonnes in the first quarter of 2026
• March UK pig production rose by 7,000 tonnes month on month
• Average clean pig carcase weights reached 94.2 kg in Q1 2026, up 3 kg year on year.

UK pig meat production was strong in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026. According to Defra, output for the first three months of the year reached 256,800 tonnes, an increase of 5.3% compared with Q1 2025.

Notably, production exceeded Q4 2025 levels by 1,300 tonnes (+0.5%), despite the typically higher seasonal demand seen in the final quarter of the year.

Looking more closely at recent monthly data, production in March rose by 7,000 tonnes (+9%) compared with February and by 8,600 tonnes (+11%) year-on-year (YoY), reinforcing the upward trend.

Figure 1: UK pig meat production

Source: Defra

Figure 1 shows UK pig meat production from 2024 to 2026. Data for 2024 are shown in light blue, 2025 in dark blue, and 2026 in light green. The five‑year average is indicated by the light grey line.

Defra report that UK clean pig slaughter stood at 925,500 head in March 2026, representing a 10% month-on-month increase (81,000 head). Across the whole of Q1 2026, clean pig slaughter totalled 2.6 million head, 2.3% higher than in Q1 2025.

Regional data highlights a mixed picture for Q1. Slaughter in England and Wales increased by 4% (81,000 head) YoY, accounting for around 80% of the UK total. In contrast, Northern Ireland recorded a 3% decline (13,000 head), representing 18% of the total, while Scotland saw a sharper fall of 17% (10,000 head), contributing just 2% overall.

Meanwhile, UK sow and boar slaughter in Q1 2026 rose by 3.6% (1,800 head) compared with the same period last year.

Figure 2: UK clean pig slaughter

Source: Defra

Figure 2 shows UK clean pig slaughter volumes from 2024 to 2026. Data for 2024 are shown in light blue, 2025 in dark blue, and 2026 in light green. The five‑year average is indicated by the light grey line.

A key driver behind the increase in pig meat production has been heavier carcase weights. Average clean pig carcase weights reached 94.2 kg in Q1 2026, up 3 kg year on year. Over the past six months, weights have consistently remained above 92 kg, peaking at 94.7 kg in January.

Although weights eased slightly in March (down 1.1 kg from the January peak), they remained 2.6 kg higher than a year earlier. As the industry moves further into 2026, there are few signs of a significant decline in carcase weights. Ongoing reports of processing backlogs and pigs being carried over week to week suggest that weights are unlikely to fall sharply in the near term.

Figure 3. UK clean pig carcase weights

Source: Defra

Figure 3 shows UK clean pig slaughter from 2024 to 2026. Data for 2024 are shown in light blue, 2025 in dark blue, and 2026 in light green. The five‑year average is indicated by the light grey line.

Q1 Slaughter figures have exceeded the forecasts set out in our earlier outlook, and we are currently reviewing our production forecasts in light of the latest data.

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