UK pig meat production: Q1 2025 marches upwards

Key points:

• Pig meat production up 6.4% yoy
• Clean pig slaughter numbers up 5.5% yoy
• Carcase weights average 91.5kg

In the first three months of 2025 (January - March) the UK has produced 244,500 tonnes of pig meat, according to the latest Defra data. This is a substantial gain of nearly 15,000 tonnes (6.4%) compared to the same period last year. Although it is worth noting that Q1 2024 volumes were the lowest recorded since 2017. It is usual to see volumes ease in Q1 vs Q4, following the high demand for the pork category at Christmas. Between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025 there was a drop of 5,000 tonnes.

Both slaughter numbers and carcase weights have driven the trend in production.

UK clean pig kill totalled 2.59 million head during the first quarter, a year-on-year increase of almost 136,000 head (5.5%). As pigs are often pulled forward for slaughter to meet Christmas demand, quarterly numbers fell 111,000 head (Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024).

Meanwhile, carcase weights have continued to march on upwards, continuing trends seen through 2024. The average dressed carcase weight for January – March 2025 was 91.5kg, 1kg heavier than year earlier weights and up almost 2kg compared to the last three months of 2024.

The first three months of 2025 have performed more strongly than we forecast back in February. Keep an eye out for an updated production outlook coming soon.

Subscribe to receive pork market news straight to your inbox. Simply complete our online form.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.