According to the latest data released by Defra, the English pig herd grew between 20011 and this year. The results of June’s pig census in England show a 1.7 percent increase. The national herd now stands at approximately 3.7 million.

Although the number of sows was shown to have decreased by 0.8 percent, numbers of fattening pigs were up almost 2 percent. Although European analysts have said prices are expected to remain stable in the short to medium term, due to a balance of supply and demand across Europe, the British National Pig Association had suggested that scarcity next year could see prices rising for a number of pig products.  

The June census showed there are 351,000 female breeding pigs in England. According to Defra, a younger breeding herd has resulted in improvements in sow productivity, which may explain increases or improvements elsewhere.

Nevertheless, according to the NPA, high feed costs, as well as other rising input costs, have begun to encroach on breeders’ margins, which may result in destocking and a shrinking herd. The association believes this will affect the availability and price of pig products next year. NPA has called on supermarkets to pledge their support for pig producers and commit to ensuring a ‘sustainable price’.

The female breeding herd has declined by 23 per cent over the past decade. In 2002 there were 458,000 breeding sows and gilts, whereas in June the census showed numbers had fallen to 351,000 pigs.

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