Defra has updated its July average carcase weight figures and, in turn its monthly UK pigmeat production figure.
Last week, we reported that July UK pigmeat production was down 4.8% year on year to 78,000 tonnes. This was partly based on a significantly lower average carcase weight than July 2024, 87.9kg, alongside a 3.2% drop in July 2024 slaughterings at 859,000 head.
However, Defra confirmed, following a query from AHDB, that its latest July carcase weight figure was wrong and has now updated it to 89.6kg, similar to the July 2024 figure.
Defra’s July UK pigmeat production figure was therefore revised to 79,700 tonnes, 3% down on July 2024.
For most of this year, UK pig supplies have been trending above 2024. However, the July figure clean pig slaughter figure was 29,000 head below the same month last year.
The July 2025 weekly average of 194,000 pigs slaughtered per week compares with 200,000 head/week in July 2024. It is slightly below the June 2025 figure of 198,000 head/week, although it is higher than the May average of 193,000 head/week.
Breaking the July 2025 figure down within the UK, 683,000 clean pigs were slaughtered in England and Wales, 19,000 in Scotland and 157,000 in Northern Ireland.
July sow and boar slaughterings, at around 17,000, were 1.5% down year on year.
The figures also show an 8% year-on-year reduction in beef production to 71,000 tonnes in July and a 10% rise in sheepmeat production to 21,000 tonnes.