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The June census saw an overall increase in pig numbers in England, but the breeding herd, including boars, fell back by a further 1% to 325,900 head, the smallest on record, in the year to June.
The number of sows in pig was down fractionally to 183,000 head, but there was a 5.3% fall in gilts in pig to 29,600 head and an 8.3% drop in ‘other sows’, dry sows or those kept for further breeding, to 38,600 head. This meant the female breeding (not including gilts not yet in pig) declined by 2.2% to 251,400 head.
The number of gilts intended for first time breeding was up 4.3% to 66,400 head, suggesting the possibility of a light future recovery in breeding pig numbers. Male breeding pigs numbers were down 3.6% to just over 8,000.
Between June 2021 and June 2022, the height of the pig crisis, the breeding herd (including boars) declined by 18% from 402,600 head to 328,600. There was a slight recovery in June 2023, before numbers slipped back again this year.
While these figures are for England only, they point to an industry still showing little appetite to expand, despite a prolonged period of profitability.
September 2, 2024/ National Pig Association/ United Kingdom.
https://www.npa-uk.org.uk
