Farmers still cautious as pig numbers drop
Pig numbers in England have fallen to their lowest levels in over a decade as the impact of last year’s reduction in breeding sows filtered through the supply chain.
Latest Defra livestock population figures revealed England’s pig herd fell by almost half a million (12 per cent) to 3.6m head in the year to June, driven by a 13 per cent fall in the number of fattening pigs.
The reduction came after England’s breeding herd plummeted to a 20-year low in 2022, as farmers left the industry in droves as high production costs and low prices forced many out of businesses.
Lizzie Wilson, National Pig Association chief executive, said the figures were disappointing but not a huge surprise.
“We lost a quarter of our sow herd and because we are on a 10-month production cycle, it takes a while for that to filter through to finisher numbers,” she said.
“AHDB predicts slaughterings will be down between 15 and 20 per cent for 2023 because we have lost so many producers, and although the mass exodus is over, I think we could still see one or two more leave the industry.”
Ms Wilson said stronger prices meant producers were currently profitable, but without long-term higher prices the industry remained cautious.
“There is a lot of pressure with the cost-of-living crisis and inflation, and uncertainty over future legislative requirements is not helping,” she added.
Caroline Stocks | Farmers Guardian
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