News Animal numbers
Number of pigs and cows in Germany further down
The number of cows and pigs in Germany fell further last year to new lows. This is shown by figures from the German statistical service Destatis.
The November count shows that the number of pig farms continues to shrink. Compared to a year earlier, 1.200 companies have stopped. In other words, a contraction of more than 5% to 21.100 companies. The number of pigs is also shrinking, but less rapidly. For example, the total pig herd in our eastern neighbors fell by 2% last year to 25,9 million. This is the lowest number since at least 2000.
The German sow herd recorded 1,78 million in November, a contraction of just 3% compared to the 2018 count and also the lowest level for several decades. It doesn't look like the contraction can be averted anytime soon. For example, the interest group ISN expects that half of the number of sow farmers in Germany will stop in the coming years. An aging population, a lack of perspective and increasingly strict regulations are the main drivers.
90.000 fewer dairy cows
The number of dairy cows in Germany is also continuing to decline, to 4,01 million last November. That is the lowest number since the turn of the century. Compared to 2018, this is a decrease of almost 90.000 cows. The number of dairy farms fell by 4,6% last year to just under 60.000. During the count last summer, a significant shrinkage visible.
Many small farms (up to 50 cows) in particular stop. The number of farms with more than 500 cows is growing slightly. Like many pig farmers, many dairy farmers in Germany will probably throw in the towel in the coming years. A further decline in animal numbers is therefore looming.
Wouter Job
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