Danish pig herd is growing well

The Danish pig population has grown by 3% in the past year. This is evident from the October census of 'Statistics Denmark'. Since June, growth has accelerated. However, the number of slaughters has fallen sharply.

The Danish pig herd in October consisted of 12,6 million pigs, of which more than 1,24 million were sows. Just like the total pig herd, the sow herd has also grown by 3%. Given that the number of gilts has increased by 3%, to 225.000, the necessary increase is on the way. The number of piglets has even increased by 6% to 2,59 million. However, the number of finishing pigs, heavier than 50 kilos, has shrunk by 2% to 2,89 million.

Slaughter down
The decrease in the number of finishing pigs corresponds to the number of slaughters in Denmark. The Danish pig sector has been struggling with declining slaughter figures all year round. So far in 2017 there has been more than 5% less sex than last year.

This downward trend is partly due to the fact that Danish pig farmers are increasingly exporting live pigs abroad (Germany). In the first half of 2017, live pig exports increased by 5%.  This year 5% fewer slaughters in Denmark. 

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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