Although market conditions may not be ideal for pork producers, with the latest government data forecasting falls in income for the pig sector (one of only two sectors set to struggle in 2012), figures from the National Pig Association show the industry is at its most productive for a decade.

NPA data shows that in 2011 United Kingdom pig slaughterings were their highest since 2002, at 9.8m head. This is a six per cent rise on 2010 figures. Scotland recorded the strongest growth, showing a 12 per cent increase on 2010 figures, whilst Northern Ireland’s slaughtering were up five percent.  

Official figures no longer cover sow slaughterings, but AHDB estimates have put the number of sows killed at 250,000 over 2011, 13 per cent more than in 2010.

The NPA said the key driver has been increased productivity, partly due to PCV2 vaccines, and which is being shared across much of the European herd. Cash strapped Britons have turned back to pork from other meats since the onset of the recession.

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