UK pig meat production remains elevated in Q2 2026: Pork market update

• UK pig production dipped slightly in the second quarter of 2026 to 250,600 tonnes, but this was still up almost 5% year-on-year.
• Average clean pig carcase weights reached 92kg in Q2 2026, down 2.3kg from Q1 but still up 1.8kg year on year
• July UK pig production rose by 500 tonnes month to month, boosted by growth in clean pig slaughter as weights fell back amid hot weather

UK pig meat production was strong in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026. According to Defra, output from April to June this year reached 250,600 tonnes, down 2% from Q1 but an increase of 4.8% compared with Q2 2025.

Across the first half of 2026, production totalled 507,400 tonnes, an increase of 5.1% year-on-year (YoY) reflecting ample supplies of pig meat on the domestic market.

Looking more closely at recent monthly data, production in July rose by 500 tonnes (+0.5%) compared with June and just shy of 4,000 tonnes (+5.0%) YoY, highlighting the upward trend.

Figure 1. Monthly UK pig meat production

Source: Defra

Defra report that UK clean pig slaughter stood at 909,100 head in July 2026, representing a 2.1% month-on-month increase (18,400 head). Across the whole of Q2 2026, clean pig slaughter totalled 2.6 million head, 2.7% higher than in Q2 2025.

Looking at the first half of 2026, pig slaughter totalled 5.2 million head, an increase of 2.5% YoY.

Regional data highlights a mixed picture for Q2. Slaughter in England and Wales increased by 3% (66,400 head) YoY, accounting for around 80% of the UK total. In contrast, Northern Ireland recorded a 2% decline (9,400 head), representing 18% of the total, while Scotland saw an increase of 20% (11,100 head), contributing 3% overall.

Additionally, UK sow and boar slaughter in Q2 2026 rose by 11% (5,500 head) compared with the same period last year.

Figure 2. Monthly UK clean pig slaughter

Source: Defra

A key driver of the increase in pig meat production has been heavier carcase weights. Clean pig carcase weights averaged 92kg in Q2 2026, up 1.7kg YoY. Across the past six months, weights averaged 93.1kg, 2% higher than the 90.8kg recorded during the same period last year.

However, weights fell below 90kg in July, reaching 88.5kg. This was 6.2kg below the January peak and 0.8kg lower than in July 2025.

Processing backlogs have now eased, reducing some of the upward pressure on carcase weights. This has been compounded by the recent heatwaves affecting pig growth rates. Data from our deadweight pig price reporting sample would suggest that weight gain has continued to be affected through July and August to-date.

Figure 3. Monthly UK average clean pig carcase weights

Source: Defra 

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