The recovery of the US pig industry from PEDv is well underway, potentially creating more export market competition for the EU, according to BPEX.
The latest figures released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveal a 2% rise in pig numbers in the year to December 1, 2014, which is 7% up on the figures recorded in March and June last year when the impact of PEDv was at its height.
“The US breeding herd has increased even more rapidly, with a 4% rise year on year, taking it to its highest level in nearly six years,” said BPEX. “This is reflected in farrowing intentions for the next six months, with the number of litters also expected to be up 4%.”
While US productivity remains below the long-term trend, however, due to PEDv continuing to have “some impact” on the industry, the new figures still “support earlier forecasts of a significant rise in US pig meat production in 2015”.
All of which, concluded BPEX, could mean “more competition for the EU on export markets”.