Figures published by BPEX for November 2013 show that overall pigmeat production was higher than the same month in 2012 despite fewer pigs being slaughtered.
The number of clean pigs processed in November 2013 totalled 826,500 head, which was a 1% decline compared with 12 months earlier.
However, at 80.2kg, the average carcase weight in November 2013 was 2% higher than the same month in 2012. Therefore, in spite of the decline in clean pig throughput, pigmeat production actually increased by 1% compared with November 2012 to total 69,100 tonnes.
BPEX reports that a large part of the reduction in pigs slaughterede was the result of a 5% fall in the number of pigs processed in Northern Ireland. Throughputs in Great Britain were almost in line with the previous year’s figures.
The number of sows and boars processed in November 2013 was down by 10% year on year, which is thought to reflect the relative fall in feed prices compared with autumn 2012.