Clean pig carcases slaughtered in UK abattoirs averaged more than 80kg for the first time ever in October.
BPEX figures put the average carcase weight for the month at 80.28kg, which is more than 1kg more than the figure achieved in October 2012.
Carcase weights have generally remained above the year-on-year level for most of 2013 as a result of lower feed costs and processors looking to offset tight pig supplies.
As a result of increased throughputs and higher carcase weights, pig meat production in October reached 84,900 tonnes. This was 1,600 tonnes (2%) above the the 2012 level. This figure left pig meat production at its highest recorded level for October since 1999.