UK pigmeat production over the first half of this year was 13% down on 2022 and the lowest figure recorded since 2017, as pig supplies fell to a 10-year low.
In June the UK produced 74,700 tonnes of pig meat, according to Defra data, 7% down from May volumes and down 11% June 2022.
The decline in production has been driven by reduced numbers of clean pigs slaughtered, which stood at 813,700 head for the month, down 6% on May and 11% on June 2022. Carcase weights also eased in June, down a further 400g, on top of a 700g decline in May, and now sit at an average of 88.3kg.
This brings the total UK pig meat production for the first six months of the year to 457,100 tonnes, 13% behind volumes seen in the first half of last year and the lowest volume for the period since 2017.
Again, this is predominantly driven by reduced slaughter, with clean pig kill for the first six months of the year standing at 4.95m head, an 11% decline on last year and the lowest number for the period since 2013, on the back of the significant decline in the breeding herd last year.
“The UK pork marketplace remains very tight with year to date production and slaughter figures for the first half of the year recording significant year on year declines. This is keeping pig prices supported but also causing significant disruption to the supply chain with the continued decline of specialist pig abattoirs one regrettable illustration,” AHDB senior analyst Freya Shuttleworth said.