German pig herd shrinks again

The size of the German pig herd has shrunk again in recent months. The number of companies is also clearly decreasing. Germany now has the lowest number of pigs since 2010. The downward trend is expected to continue.

In May, the German 'Statistics Bundesamt' counted a total of 27,1 million pigs. This is the lowest level in 7 years. Compared to the November count, this is a minus of 1%. The greatest shrinkage is visible in fattening pigs. This group shrank by 3,7% to 11,83 million animals. The number of piglets also showed a downward trend for the fourth consecutive count and shrank by more than 100.000 heads, to 7,89 million, compared to the November count.

Piglet price explanation
Compared to the May count last year, more than 200.000 piglets were counted less. The figures explain the piglet price in Germany, which at the end of June was still at a record level of €61 per piglet.

Also less sows
The shrinking piglet herd is the result of the decline in the number of breeding sows. In six months, the number of breeding sows has shrunk by 0,8% to 1,9 million animals. The fact that Germany has fewer pigs is a logical consequence of the dwindling number of pig farms. Since November 2016, 600 companies have closed their doors, bringing the number of pig farms to 23.800. In the past 6 years, the number of pig farms has decreased by almost a quarter. The number of farms is therefore falling faster than the number of pigs.

No surprise
According to the ISN, the representative of German pig farmers, the red numbers should come as no surprise. In a statement, the union said it was a logical consequence of a price crisis in 2015 and increasing environmental legislation. In addition, the German pig sector is subject to many uncertainties. For example, the ban on castration without anesthetic, which will come into effect in 2019. The number of pig farms will probably also decline in the future, given that relatively many German pig farmers have no successor.

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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