UK: Significant fall in British pork production expected

Published Feb 10, 2023

Tridge summary

The UK is experiencing a decline in pork production, with a predicted 15% drop to approximately 885,000 tons in 2023, due to a decrease in the number of sows and gilts in 2022. This decline is also attributed to fertility issues caused by a heat wave in the summer of 2022. The reduction in input costs, while noting that feed prices will remain higher than in previous years, is expected to lead to a slight increase in pig prices, potentially revitalizing the pig farming industry. AHDB anticipates a slight growth in the breeding herd in the first half of 2023.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The falling pork production is the effect of the 11.7 percent fewer sows and 22.4 percent fewer gilts counted in the United Kingdom in 2022. In addition, a period of lower pig production is starting due to the fertility problems caused by the heat wave in the summer of 2022. AHDB predicts pork production will drop 15 percent to about 885,000 tons of pork by 2023. The number of pigs that will be slaughtered in 2023 will amount to around 9.8 million animals. That is 1.4 million less fattening pigs than in 2022. The average carcass weight will also be considerably lower this year because the slaughterhouses will be short of pigs. The average carcass weight is expected to average 87 kilograms. That is four kilos less than the carcass average of the past year. Light recovery sow herd For the first time since the end of 2020, AHDB sees some reduction in input costs including feed. Despite this, feed prices will remain at a higher level than in the years leading up to 2021. The dynamics ...

Source: Nieuwe Oogst