Pig numbers in Ireland fell by 10.4% to 1,407,600 last year, the lowest herd level since 1991.
This represented a loss of 162,800, as, like much of Europe, the industry contracted in response to difficult market conditions in 2022.
The Central Statistics Office’s December 2023 survey also showed a 0.6% fall in breeding pig numbers to 126,800, the lowest level since December 1988.
Sows in pig fell by 9,800 (-13.5%), but gilts in pig rose by 2,100 (+13.6%), suggesting signs of breeding herd recovery.
‘Other pigs’ dropped by 162,100 (-11.2%) with finishing pigs over 80kg showing the largest decrease of 47,900, representing a 15% decline.
The survey also revealed smaller contractions in the Irish cattle herd and sheep flock. Cattle numbers dropped by 25,900 (-0.4%) to 6,526,000, while provisional sheep numbers are estimated at 3,995,000, a decrease of 23,000 (-0.6%).