Belgian pig population continues to shrink

The pig herd in Belgium decreased by 2014% between 2016 and 3,41. There will also be a contraction in 2017, according to figures from Eurostat. A consolidation process is taking place. This reports the Belgian Felt.

Eurostat figures report that the contraction will continue in 2017. Compared to last year, the number of pigs has shrunk by 2,9% to 6,01 million pigs. The number of sows decreased by 3,5% to 417.000 head. In The Netherlands the pig herd is more or less stable this year. In Belgium, the contraction continues.

Consolidation battle
The number of companies decreased by no less than 2014% between 2016 and 7,1. The number of animals per farm rose by just 4% to an average of 1.460 head. This means that the companies are getting bigger and bigger. Those who stay mainly invest in environmental measures. More than 90% of the subsidized investments are devoted to ammonia reduction.  

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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