Belgian slaughter figures break with European trend

The number of pig slaughters in Belgium shows a sharp decline in 2016. This is a 6 percent decrease. This is evident from figures from Eurostat. As a result, the Belgians are falling the fastest of the larger pig countries in Europe.

In total, more than 11,1 million pigs were hanging on the hooks in Belgium last year. This puts Belgium in seventh place of the largest pig countries in Europe in terms of slaughter. However, the slaughter figure is about 700.000 less pigs than in 2015. The difference was especially large in August. The slaughter figures were then more than 15 percent behind the same month in 2015. 

European trend 
The figures from Belgium deviate considerably from the European average. The number of pig slaughters increased by 0,6 percent in total in Europe. This brings the total to more than 257 million slaughtered pigs. 

The Netherlands recorded a minimum plus of 0,6 percent last year. This brings the total to 15,5 million pigs. German slaughterhouses processed, more or less, the same numbers. They end up just under 60 million animals.

On balance, the Belgians slaughter just under 1 million pigs per month. That is about the same numbers as the German slaughterhouses process in a week. 

Pork production
Pork production cannot escape contraction either. In total, the slaughters accounted for a production of 1,06 million tons of pork. In 2015, the counter was still well above 1,1 million tons. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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