The level of UK clean pig slaughterings in November recorded the largest year-on-year fall for more than seven years, according to AHDB Pork.
Based on the latest figures from Defra, the November 2016 total of 932,200 head was almost 5% lower than the same month last year, once figures are adjusted for the change in reporting periods introduced earlier this year.
“This is the largest year-on-year fall recorded so far in 2016, and indeed the largest since mid-2009,” noted AHDB Pork, adding that the month also represented the fifth substantial decline in the last six months.
“This is the legacy of the contraction of the breeding herd driven by low prices a year ago, coupled with some reports of increased disease pressure affecting productivity.”
In contrast, sow slaughterings were higher than a year before, after adjustment, by 4% at 22,600 head.