Pig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • 2025 Innovation supplement
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • 2025 Buildings supplement
    • February 2025
    • 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • 2024 Pig Health supplement
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • 2024 Innovation supplement
    • 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • 2024 Buildings Supplement
    • March 2024
    • 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • Health Supplement
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
Podcast
Pig WorldPig World
  • News
      • Animal Health
      • Breeding
      • Business
      • Environment
      • EU
      • Food Safety
      • Housing
      • Marketing
      • NPA
      • National Pig Awards
      • New Products
      • Nutrition
      • People
      • Pig Fair
      • Politics
      • Training & Education
      • Welfare
  • Features
    • Animal Health
    • Breeding
    • Environment
    • Farm Visits
    • Herd Recording
    • Housing
    • Marketing
    • Nutrition
    • Products
    • Training
  • Comment
    • AHDB Pork
    • Chris Fogden
    • Dennis Bridgeford
    • Peter Crichton
    • Red Robin
    • Veterinary View
    • Zoe Davies, NPA
  • Numbers
  • Pig Prices
  • Magazines
    1. July 2025
    2. June 2025
    3. 2025 Innovation supplement
    4. May 2025
    5. April 2025
    6. March 2025
    7. 2025 Buildings supplement
    8. February 2025
    9. 2025 Nutrition Supplement
    10. January 2025
    11. December 2024
    12. November 2024
    13. 2025 National Pig Awards supplement
    14. October 2024
    15. September 2024
    16. August 2024
    17. 2024 Pig Health supplement
    18. July 2024
    19. June 2024
    20. 2024 Innovation supplement
    21. 2024 Pig & Poultry Fair Guide
    22. May 2024
    23. April 2024
    24. 2024 Buildings Supplement
    25. March 2024
    26. 2024 Pig Nutrition supplement
    27. February 2024
    28. January 2024
    29. December 2023
    30. November 2023
    31. 2023 National Pig Awards supplement
    32. October 2023
    33. September 2023
    34. Health Supplement
    Featured

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025
    Recent

    July 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    July 6, 2025

    June 2025 issue of Pig World now available

    June 4, 2025

    2025 Innovation supplement now available

    June 4, 2025
  • Suppliers
  • Jobs
    • Browse Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • Manage Jobs
  • Classified
  • Events
    • Pigs Tomorrow
    • National Pig Awards
LinkedIn X (Twitter)
Pig World
News

Caution limits global sow herd growth, amid trade and disease uncertainties

Alistair DriverBy Alistair DriverNovember 6, 20243 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Global pork producers remain cautious about rebuilding their herds, despite improved profitability, due to ongoing uncertainties over trade, disease and demand, according to RaboResearch’s latest pig sector report.

The global sow herd remained steady through Q3 2024, with little sign of expansion, even though profitability has noticeably improved in some regions.

“We expect a seasonal production increase as temperatures cool and fresh corn becomes available, though herd health challenges typically rise during this period,” said Christine McCracken, senior animal protein analyst for RaboResearch.

Disease outbreaks in South Korea, Russia and the EU have led to production losses in the second half 2024, limiting herd rebuilding despite effective biosecurity measures, as biosecurity remains a top priority, globally, due to ongoing disease risks.

But China’s moderating disease pressure should support a return to herd growth in 2025. It’s pig herd is currently expanding slowly, reflecting producers’ cautiousness, while imports picked up in Q3 but remain vulnerable to trade policy changes.

Slight production growth is also expected in Brazil, the US and southern EU countries. The report suggests EU pig prices could pick up due to tightening supplies, but while exports might strengthen, they remain below year-earlier levels.

Pork production in the E27+UK was up 3% in the year to July, with higher slaughter numbers and carcase weights both contributing. But in the first half of 2024, the sow herd in the top eight EU countries declined by 0.6%, compared with the end of 2023. Rabobank, therefore, predicts only ‘marginal growth for the EU27+UK in 2024.

In the US, ample supplies as producers make productivity gains are weighing on the market, while Brazil saw a 9% year-on-year increase in exports, despite a weaker China market.

La Niña impact

Global feed inventories are nearing their best level in years, and pig production costs are lower in most regions.

However, dry conditions in South America and Asia mean feed cost advantages are not uniform. In 2024, lower corn and soymeal costs have provided margin relief in some regions, while tighter wheat supplies have kept costs high in others. Even a mild La Niña creates regional disparities, Ms McCracken added.

North America’s large harvest has rebuilt stocks, but the EU and Asia have fallen short. “With global stocks providing an adequate buffer, we project another year of moderate cost of gain for most leading pork producers in 2024/25,” said Ms McCracken.

Concerns about localized production shortfalls due to La Niña are focused on South and Central Asia, southern South America, northern Mexico, and East Asia. Dry conditions in Brazil have already delayed soybean planting and could reduce safrinha (second crop) corn acreage in 2025.

Positive consumption trend

Pork consumption continues to improve, driven by better economic trends. Lower energy costs are helping to slow inflation, though higher costs for services and food weigh on consumers.

Stronger seasonal demand and the high cost of competing proteins should support favourable consumption in Q4 2024.

“Consumer confidence remains a challenge in many markets due to ongoing economic difficulties. Consumption trends will impact prices, investment decisions, and global trade,” Ms McCracken concluded.

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleThe Pig Industry Scholarship Programme is open
Next Article Taiwan granted ASF-free status by WOAH
Alistair Driver

Editor Pig World, group editor Agronomist and Arable Farmer and Farm Contractor. National Pig Association webmaster. Former political editor at Farmers Guardian. Occasional media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm. Works from a shed in his Oxfordshire garden.

Read Similar Stories

UK poorly protected from animal diseases that could cost taxpayer billions – NPA tells MPs

July 8, 2025

Tributes paid, after respected pig farmer, Rob Beckett, passes away

July 7, 2025

AHDB unveils new biosecurity tool available to support pig producers and vets

July 4, 2025
Latest News

UK poorly protected from animal diseases that could cost taxpayer billions – NPA tells MPs

July 8, 2025

What the pig sector can learn from poultry’s avian flu response

July 8, 2025

Tributes paid, after respected pig farmer, Rob Beckett, passes away

July 7, 2025
Sponsored Content

THE GATEKEEPER OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH – MYCOPLASMA HYOPNEUMONIAE (M.HYO)

April 30, 2024

Tackle the root cause of PWD with free diagnostic tests

March 1, 2024
Current Pig Industry jobs
  • Pig Stockperson – Ref 1758 Norfolk

    • Norfolk
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Experienced Pig Stockperson – Ref 1757 South East England

    • South East England
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
  • Pig Stockperson Farm Worker – Ref 1756 UK

    • United Kingdom
    • Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd.
    • Full Time
GETTING IN TOUCH
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Meet The Editors
  • About Us
  • Email Newsletters
  • Subscribe
  • Reuse permissions
OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
PARTNER EVENTS
RELATED SITES
  • Farmers Weekly
  • Agronomist & Arable Farmer
  • Farm Contractor
  • National Pig Awards
  • Pigs Tomorrow
  • Poultry News
  • Weekly Tribune
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
© 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.