UK reports record production in pig meat
1.02 million tonnes of pig meat was produced last year in the UK, according to official data. It is the highest level in production recorded in the last 22 years and also is 4% higher than the volumes reported for 2020. 11.1 million clean pigs were slaughtered in 2021, 2% more than in the previous year. In December 2021 alone, 952,000 clean pigs were slaughtered, the same number as last December. However, average carcase weights were significantly heavier at 90.9 kg , as many pigs have been held on farm far longer than planned, informed AHDB.
"Together these mean that at 90,000 tonnes, production was 4% more than the same month a year ago despite having the same number of working days. Challenges in the sector remain, with processing capacity in some plants curtailed further in recent days. A high level of absenteeism due to the latest wave of coronavirus is behind the cuts. Combined with less killing over the Christmas period, these factors will not have offered any help to reduce the backlog of pigs still being reported on farms," commented Duncan Wyatt, AHDB Lead Analyst.
(Photo source: Mainsgill Farm Shop)
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