GB pig feed output has fallen for the fifth consecutive month, indicating that the breeding herd has reduced over the last year and that pig supplies will remain tight going forward, according to AHDB Pork.
Based on the latest Defra data, GB pig feed production in September was down 11% year on year, at 156,800 tonnes, with the majority of the decline being seen in relation to grower feed production, which fell by 21%. Finishing and breeding feed output, meanwhile, reduced by 8% and 7% respectively.
“While this is only data for a single month, we have seen a year on year decline in pig feed production for the past five months, mainly driven by reductions in grower and breeder feed usage,” said AHDB Pork, adding that, looking at pig feed production for the first nine months of 2016, there has been a 2% year on year reduction.
“This reduction in pig feed output correlates with the reduction in clean pig slaughterings in September. Given the sustained fall for breeding pig feed, the data supports suggestions that the breeding herd has reduced over the last year and that pig supplies will remain tight. There is little indication of that situation reversing yet.”