Pig numbers decline further in Germany

By Bethan Wilkins

Latest figures from the Federal Statistics Office show that overall German pig numbers totalled 25.4 million in May. This was a 2% fall compared to the same point in 2019 and primarily reflects declining finishing pig numbers. The number of sows was also down 2% on the year, at 1.8 million head.

The German pig herd has been declining for a number of years. Ever increasing welfare regulations are causing more producers to exit the industry. This is also evident in the large fall in the number of pig holdings, which declined 6% over the year to 20,400.

Despite the fall in the breeding herd, piglet numbers were actually stable at 7.8 million head, indicating higher productivity. Weaner numbers were still down sharply though.

Slaughter was already falling early in the year, and these results indicate that pig supplies are likely to remain limited for the rest of this year and into 2021.

June census results from other member states will be available later in the year.

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