The latest data from Defra shows that the pig meat production figures for June 2022 have remained high; owing to a 17% increase in the number of clean pigs slaughtered, year-on-year.
UK pig meat production reached 86,600 tonnes in June, a figure similar to that of May 2022 and a 13,900 tonne (19%) growth on June 2021.
According to AHDB, the rise is due to the 17% increase (year-on-year) in the number of clean pigs slaughtered in the month of June, for a figure of 941,200 head. This number is an increase of more than 100,000 on June 2021, when Defra recorded a figure of 804,600. However June 2022’s slaughter is down on May’s figure of 952,600.
Carcase weights continued to drop in June, though clean pig carcase weights remain 2.5kg (3%) heavier than a year ago – with an average weight of 88.7kg. However, this is 0.4kg lighter than in May. Nonetheless, the rate of decline has slowed in comparison to recent months.
Overall, the total production figure for January to June of 2022 is up 7% on the same period last year, currently sitting at 538,300 tonnes. While the clean pig kill is at 5.66 million head, a 3% rise year-on-year.