Pig sector output in Scotland increased by 19% in 2014, reaching a total country value of £94.6m, according to the latest Scottish Red Meat Industry profile, newly published by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
“The pig sector rebounded strongly in 2014 after two successive annual declines,” states the report, adding that the combination of an increased sow herd, productivity improvements and higher carcase weights, due to lower feed costs, led to a 19% rise in output from finished pig production.
“This was despite producer prices falling sharply in the second half of the year. With capital formation edging lower, overall pig sector output increased by just under 19%, reaching £94.6m.”
The pigmeat share of overall agricultural production in Scotland subsequently rose during 2014 to just over 3%, up from 2.5% in 2013.