EU: Pig numbers continue to decline but a change in trend is imminent

The EU pig population stands at 121.2 million pigs, according to data from the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat), based on the results of censuses in May and June in the 13 countries that regularly conduct a biannual livestock survey and are obliged to report the results. This figure is 1.6% lower than at the same time last year, i.e. there are now 1.9 million fewer pigs. This downward trend in the EU pig population has continued as in previous years, although with the difference that now, the reduction is weaker. In previous years, the rates of decline were 3.0% and 4.6% respectively. The development has been very different in each country. In seven of the 13 countries, a decrease in the population was recorded. In Spain, the largest pig producing country, the decline was -3.7%, in France -2.8%, in the Netherlands -3.7%, in Poland -3.2%, Italy -3.6%, Belgium -0.8% and Austria -2.0%. Inventory increases were recorded in Germany (+1.1%), Denmark (+2.3%), Hungary ...