Danish pig herd contracts in size

As at 1 January 2022, the Danish pig herd had contracted slightly compared to last year, at 13.15 million head, according to Statistics Denmark. All categories and age groups had shrunk in number.

Prices for finished pigs are low across most of Europe, and have been for some time. The EU (and because of its close trading relationship, by extension the UK) is contending with an oversupply of pork in the wake of coronavirus, African Swine Fever in Germany and a decline in Chinese import demand. Profitability for producers is severely challenged, and so a decline in Denmark’s pig population should come as no surprise.

However, there is underlying strength in Danish pig meat production, with reports suggesting that we should only expect limited reductions overall. Pig production is apparently still popular, and willing entrants easy to find, with a “waiting list” to take over from those leaving the sector.

Denmark is a key supplier to the UK, and competitively priced pig meat there will likely continue to weigh on our domestic market in the coming weeks and months.

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