Results from the June 2013 Agricultural Census published by The Scottish Government show the pig herd has shrunk by 12.1% in the past year, with total pig numbers sitting at 319,396.
The figures reveal there were 308 pig units in June 2013 with a breeding herd totalling 28,493 head (-10.6% on the year). This comprised 18,253 sows in-pig (-11.9%); 6,051 gilts in pig (+12.6%, and the highest number recorded in June for 10 years); and 4,189 other sows (-27.7%).
The number of gilts weighing 50kg or more to be used for beeding was 5,530 (+5.0%, and the highest level for three years).
The number of finishing pigs (excluding barren sows for fattening) was 283,328 (-12.8%).
The Scottish breeding herd has now fallen by 21,084 head (42.5%) in the past 10 years.