The number of sows in Europe fell again last year. This is a drop of five percent. This is apparent from the new count (up to December 2016) of Eurostat† According to Eurostat, the decline arose from the the bad financial situation experienced across the EU last year.
Mainly the important producing countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands, are contributing to the decline in sow herds. Both countries report an average decrease of three percent. Spain, where the largest breeding farm in the EU is located, reports a two percent decrease. Despite this, the number of sows there is still two percent higher than in December 2014.
The continuing decline in the number of European sows means that there is currently a shortage of piglets and finishing pigs. This situation will remain unchanged for the foreseeable future. A fall in the price of piglets and fattening pigs to the level at the end of 2015 is therefore not expected. However, the situation is dependent on strong exports.
Despite the decline, signs of new growth are visible at the regional level. The Polish pig population has in fact recovered from the dip in 2015 and shows a growth of five percent in sows and fattening pigs. The total Spanish pig herd also shows an increase of three percent.
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