In September total GB compound pig feed production was 4% (5,900 tonnes) higher year on year at 163,500 tonnes, according to latest Defra data.
The majority of the increase in September was driven by a 5% (4,400 tonnes) year on year increase in finisher feed production to 85,400 tonnes. This rise echoes reports of greater numbers of pigs on the ground as well as a relatively substantial rise in average weights. The rise in weights is partly due to a number of plant breakdowns during the month, leading to processors rolling pigs.
Starter/grower feed production in September also increased by 1,200 tonnes or 3% on the year to 43,600 tonnes. This marks the fifth consecutive month of annual increases in starter/grower feed output. Combined with the Defra June Agricultural Survey results for England, which shows a 5% year on year growth in numbers of pigs under 20kg, this suggests that there could be an uptick in supplies in the later part of the year – click here to read more.
GB compound pig breeding feed production recorded a marginal increase on the year in September of less than 0.5% (100 tonnes) at 33,400 tonnes. Nonetheless, September marks the third consecutive month of annual gains for this series, suggesting relative stability for the domestic breeding herd and supporting the assumptions in the latest AHDB Outlook for Pig meat supplies.
While GB pig feed production has been on the up over the past few months, data for the year to date (January – September) records total output to be down by 1% (16,500 tonnes) on year earlier levels at 1.34 million tonnes. This reflects reports that domestic pig meat supplies were tight earlier in the year, with production down on year earlier levels. However, year to date data for starter/grower feed production reports an increase of 2% (7,600 tonnes) on the year, which supports the rise in supplies coming forward during the second half of 2017.
