EU pig numbers increase with strong growth from Spain

By Charlie Reeve The total number of pigs in the EU-27 (excluding Malta)* increased on the previous year in December 2020, totalling 146.1 million head. This was an increase of 3.0 million pigs (2%) compared to the equivalent figure for December 2019. The largest growth in numbers was seen in Spain, Denmark and Poland. Spain increased its herd size in 2020 by 1.43 million head. Spain was already the EU’s largest producer of pigs and this 5% increase widens the gap further between the other major European pig producing nations. Spain has been able to capitalise on strong trade with Asia and this has also more recently been reflected in Spanish prices. Denmark’s pig numbers were up by 5% (663,000 head) on the previous year in the census. This increase is likely partly due to fewer pigs being exported to Germany, with a higher number of fattening pigs and piglets being kept in the country. The German pig herd was largely stable overall, with just 65,000 fewer pigs than the previous ...