Significant decline for UK pig meat production in February

The latest Defra data release supports industry commentary of tight supplies of slaughter pigs. In February it is recorded that a total of 762,000 head of clean pigs were slaughtered. This is the first time monthly numbers have been below 800,000 head since May 2020 when the UK was still in the first covid-19 lockdown, and the lowest recorded monthly figure since May 2014. Throughputs are down 11% compared to last month and down a substantial 17% year on year, sitting 13% below the 5-year average.

Pig meat production volumes have followed the slaughter trend with a monthly decline of 11% to sit at 70,200 tonnes in February, 13% below the 5-year average. When compared year on year, pig meat production has seen a larger decline than slaughter numbers, down 21%, due to average carcase weights being 5kg lighter (88.9kg) in 2023 than they were in 2022.

Sow and boar kill also fell 11% in February compared to January with numbers totalling 16,200 head. This is the lowest monthly number recorded since October 2021 and 25% below the 5-year average for February. Although the breeding herd contracted in June (we are still waiting for the latest UK December population figures) monthly kill figures for sows and boars have averaged 19,300 head (Jul22-Jan23). The lower kill in February may indicate that some producers are beginning to hold onto breeding stock to tentatively rebuild their herds.

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