December UK clean pig slaughterings were up 10% year on year, at 852,000 head, with pigmeat production, at 77,000 tonnes, 8.9% higher, Defra’s latest monthly slaughter statistics show.
A total of 852,000 clean pigs were slaughtered the final month of 2024, compared with 771,000 in December 2023. Taking the weekly comparison, the average weekly figure of 192,000 head was just under 10% up on December 2023.
UK slaughterings were generally above year-earlier levels towards the end of 2024, although the November figure was 3% down. However, the October figure was 9% up on October 2023 and September was 5% up year on year.
Breaking the December 2024 figures down by region, 657,000 head were slaughtered in England and Wales, with 21,000 head slaughtered in Scotland and 174,000 head in Northern Ireland.
The number of sows and boars slaughtered in December was significantly lower, at 13,000 head, a 25% drop compared with December 2023.
UK carcase weights averaged 88.5kg in December, down on recent months as pigs were brought forward ahead of the festive break.
The total December pigmeat production figure of 77,000t compared with 71,000t in December 2023, an 8.9% increase, 90,000t in October and 82,000t in November.
Reports from the market suggest that pig supplies remain ‘ample’ in the early weeks of 2025, with more than enough pigs around to meet subdued demand.