The number of fattening pigs in Denmark is sparse

Despite the boom in the Danish pig farming sector, slaughter figures are expected to fall again. After an upturn last year, the figure in the first half is expected to be 3% lower than in the first half of 2018.

The declining slaughter figures are mainly the result of a low yield in 2018 and the hot summer. In general, Danish pig farming achieves a growth of 2% to 3% in the number of weaned piglets per sow per year, but due to the aforementioned factors, this was not achieved last year, according to Karsten Flemin, market analyst at the semi-government organization Landbrug og Fødevarer.

Due to the low yield in 2018, the pig population has fallen sharply. This is therefore 4,4% lower than in 2018. The number of slaughter pigs heavier than 50 kilos even decreased by more than 8%. These figures are based on 1.853 Danish pig farms.

More piglets, fewer finishers
Although new stables are being built with the support of the Danish government, the long-term trend is continuing. "It has been the case for decades that pig farming in Denmark is producing relatively more piglets for export and fewer and fewer fattening pigs are slaughtered in their own country. This is partly due to environmental regulations, which means that per hectare you have more yield from breeding sows than from breeding sows. fattening pigs," says Flemin. 

He continues: "It is comparable to the situation in the Netherlands. New barns are being added, but just as many obsolete companies are ceasing. Due to the structurally higher prices, even more piglets will be exported to Germany and Poland. 14,6 million piglets in 2018."

economic boom
Just like in the Netherlands, the Danish pig farming sector also sees the structurally changed margin as the rescue of the sector. John Jensen, market analyst and agricultural economist at Agro Markets, reported in Jyllands Posten newspaper this week that African swine fever is spreading not only in China, but throughout Asia. "That creates an urgently necessary economic boom here. After all, it takes years before the pig population in Asia is rebuilt." 

Danish Crown increased the pig price last week by 30 øre to 11,40 Danish Kroner: an increase of 13,4 cents to €1,53 per kilo of slaughtered weight (weight class 70 to 95 kilos). This was the largest weekly price increase in 2 years. 

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