The UK’s female breeding herd contracted further in the year to June 2024, Defra’s latest UK livestock census figures show.
As of June 1, the number of pigs in the UK increased slighly, by 0.7%, on 2023 numbers to 4.7 million head, 32,600 more pigs, driven by a 0.9% rise in the number of fattening pigs to 4.3 million, still well below the 10-year average.
However, the total number of breeding pigs was down by 1.7% to 421,000 head. The female breeding herd fell by 3.1%, 11,000, to 327,000 head, with in-pig gilts down 11%, more than 5,000, to 42,600 head.
In-pig sow numbers were more stable, dropping by 0.8% to 236,200 head, a reduction of 2,000, while dry or suckling sow numbers were down 6.5% to 48,500 head, a loss of 3,300.
On the positive front, however, there was a significant 4.6% increase in gilts intended for first time breeding to 83,700 head, an increase of 3,700 head, suggesting herd numbers might start to pick up.
Boars being used for service also fell for the third year in a row, down 3.8% to 9,500 head.
Breaking the numbers down by country:
- England saw a 1% drop in its breeding herd to 326,000 head, alongside a 1.5% rise in fattening pig numbers to 3.4 million.
- Northern Ireland’s breeding herd dropped back fractionally to 636,000, while fattening pig numbers were up 1.6% to 636,000.
- Scotland saw 9.8% reduction in its breeding herd to 36,000 head, alongside an 8% drop in fattening numbers to 279,000 head.
- Wales’ breeding herd was down 7.6% to 2,000 head, with fattening pigs up 14.3% to 26,000 head.
Overall, England accounts for 78% of the UK’s total pig population with Northern Ireland holding a 15% share and Scotland holding 7%. Wales accounts for less than 1% of the UK pig population. Over the last five years, these splits have stayed relatively stable, with Northern Ireland gaining a 2% share and England easing 2%, AHDB analyst Freya Shuttleworth said.
She also pointed out that Defra’s June census figures are based on a sample survey, so the data is subject to a degree of sampling error, such as non-response bias.
UK slaughter figures
Helped by improved productivity, Defra monthly slaughter figures show UK throughputs were 2% up year on year over the first three quarters of 2024 at 7.63m head, still well below the five-year average, helping to drive pigmeat production up by 3.4% to 711,000 tonnes.
Slaughterings were significantly up year on year in October, but dropped back in November, according to Defra’s figures.