Provisional UK figures from the June survey indicate stability in the overall breeding herd (including boars and maiden gilts), at 504,000 head. This is unexpected, given the sharp rise in Scottish breeding pigs, which is backed up by industry reports.
Feeding pig numbers were also recorded as 1% lower compared with June 2018. This would suggest worsening productivity compared to last year, which conflicts with recent Agrosoft data.
Bethan Wilkins, senior analyst at AHDB, said: “We will publish our view of trends in the UK breeding herd, and outlook for pig supplies, in our next forecast. Look out for this next month.”
