In May EU pig meat production increased by 6% on the year to 2 million tonnes, according to latest data from the EU Commission.
Despite the recent upturn in output, year to date (January – May) EU pig meat production remains down on year earlier levels by 1%, at 9.7 million tonnes.
According to AHDB Pork analysis, the tight supply situation that had been reported during the first quarter of the year appeared to alleviate somewhat in May, with pig slaughterings increasing by 4% on year earlier levels. With production rising ahead of throughput, a 2% year-on-year increase in carcase weights is implied. While EU pig prices continued to rise in the four weeks ending 28 May, the increase was considerably slower than the previous four week period. This is likely due to this increase in supply.
The increase in pig meat production on the year in May was predominantly driven by a 30% annual rise in Danish pig meat production, at 134 thousand tonnes, with year to date output now over 3% up on year earlier levels. However, the sharp rise in Danish output is likely due to a different reporting period being used in May 2017, compared to May 2016.
For the EU’s largest pig meat producer, Germany, pig meat output climbed by 4% on the year in May, however January – May production remains down on the same period last year by 2%. Spain, the EU’s second largest producer reported a 7% rise in pig meat output on the year in May, with year to date production just 0.5% up on year earlier levels. Dutch pig meat production also recorded an increase of 13% on the year in May at 133 thousand tonnes, taking year to date production to 1% higher year on year.
