UK pork production ticks up

UK pig meat production rose in August to 84,500 tonnes, and increase of 2.1% (1,700 tonnes) on August last year, according to latest data from Defra. There was also an uplift in volume from July, with an additional 4,000 tonnes (4.9%) produced.

Carcase weights continued their downward trend seen since late last year, with the average weight of clean pig dressed carcases reducing to 87.5kg. This is an easing of 0.5kg on weights seen in July, and only 0.3kg above weights seen this time last year.

Clean pig slaughter increased to 932,100 head, up 3,300 (0.4%) on August 2021, and 49,400 head (5.6%) up on July’s throughput.

Total production for the year (January- August) totalled 703,100 tonnes, 24,200 tonnes (3.6%) up on the same period last year. This increase will be due to heavier carcases, as when compared with January-August 2021, total slaughter has remained steady.

News of CF Industries temporarily halting production of ammonia at its Billingham site, which will have a knock on impact on the availability of CO2 domestically, came late in August. It is yet unknown when production is due to cease, however the announcement casts uncertainty over future production capacity in the pork sector. Our summer outlooks anticipated that the second half of the year would see a reduction in availability of market ready supplies of clean pigs, due to a reduced sow herd.

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