EU pig meat production continues decline

The latest production data from the EU commission shows that year on year pig meat production is down compared to last year. Total pig meat production in October was 1.79 million tonnes, down 6.1% compared to October 2021. This brings the total volume of pig meat produced in the EU for the year to date (Jan-Oct) to 18.30 million tonnes, a decline of 5.2% year on year and inline with the EU forecast.

Slaughterings have also been in year on year decline. In October it is reported that 19.29 million head of pigs were slaughtered in abattoirs, again a decline of 6.1% compared to October last year. This brings the total number of pigs slaughtered at abattoir for the year to date (Jan-Oct) to 196.20 million head, down 4.6% on the same period in 2021.

Spain and Germany remain the top producers of pig meat, totalling 4.17 million tonnes and 3.72 million tonnes respectively for the year so far. However, nearly all EU nations are in decline with Germany, Poland and Denmark having recoded the largest volume decline, losing 407,000 tonnes, 141,000 tonnes and 107,000 tonnes respectively so far in 2022. Producers in the EU are facing similar pressure to those in the UK with input costs squeezing farm margins and consumer demand easing due to the cost-of-living crisis as well as coping with disease outbreaks.

Looking ahead to 2023, the EU forecasts a further production decline of 1% with domestic consumption expected to decline 2%. Longer term it is anticipated that production will continue to ease 1% per year over the next 10 years with demand decreasing 4% over the same period.

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