the Danish pig herd had contracted across all categories compared to last year, as of January 1st, according to Statistics Denmark.The overall herd shrank -1.8% from 13.39 million head to 13.15 million head.
Duncan Wyatt, AHDB lead analyst for red meat, said that the decline in Denmark’s pig population should come as no surprise thanks for severe challenges in profitability among pig producers.
“Prices for finished pigs are low across most of Europe, and have been for some time,” said Mr Wyatt. “The EU (and because of its close trading relationship, by extension the UK) is contending with an oversupply of pork in the wake of coronavirus, African Swine Fever in Germany and a decline in Chinese import demand.”
He added, however, he believes there in an underlying strength in Danish pig meat production, as pig production is apparently still popular, and willing entrants are easy to find, with a waiting list in place to take over from those leaving the sector.
