UK pigmeat production in March totalled 69,300 tonnes, an increase of 5% higher on the same month last year, and the highest March figure since 2000, according to BPEX.
Quoting the latest figures from Defra, BPEX pointed out that the March performance was the seventh straight month during which pigmeat production had risen by 3% or more year-on-year.
“This is one of the key reasons why UK pig prices have been under pressure during this period as consumer demand has been subdued,” said BPEX.
“Despite price falls putting many producers back in the red, there is still no sign that this is leading to an increase in sow slaughterings. Indeed, the number of adult pigs killed was 1% lower than in March 2014, at 19,500 head.”
The rise in production was driven by a 4% annual increase in clean pig slaughterings during March, to 810,000 head. Â All parts of the UK recorded increased throughputs during the month, although the rate of growth was slightly slower in Scotland (up 1%) and Northern Ireland (up 2%) than in England & Wales.Â