EU pig breeding herd reported a slight increase
The total pig herd showed an increase of just under 1%, while the breeding herd rose by just over 1% year-on-year.
AHDB analyst Bethan Wilkins explains that the recovery in the pig population "following the prior rationalization of the European herd last year" was based on the increases in pig prices and producer profitability reported in the latter half of last year.
The number of slaughterings should increase towards the end of 2017 and in 2018, given the modest growth of the breeding herd.
"In the shorter term, higher numbers of finishing pigs between 20-110kg were also reported, driving the overall 1% increase in the total EU pig herd. While many of these pigs will have been slaughtered by now, this backs up reports of greater supplies coming onto the market in recent months. It also suggests throughputs will likely remain above 2016 levels in the short term. Interestingly, piglet numbers were slightly (<1%) lower than year-earlier levels. However, given the increasing sow herd, numbers would be expected to have subsequently picked up," the AHDB analyst said.
Spain and Poland saw a 4% rise in their total pig herd compared to the levels reported last year. Within this, the Spanish breeding herd recorded a notable 6% increase year-on-year to the highest level since 2010.
On the other hand, there was a more modest recovery of the pig breeding herd in the Netherlands, which increased by 1%, but overall the finished pig herd here remained stable year-on-year.
The total Danish pig herd was still 1% higher than in 2016 overall. Whereas the German breeding herd has remained in decline (-1%), total pig numbers were actually stable.
In France, meanwhile, the breeding herd appears to be continuing to decline. The female breeding herd recorded a 2% fall in mid-2016 levels, and numbers of maiden gilts were also back, by 5%, according to the AHDB analyst.
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