Inside Pigs
Fewer sows, more fattening pigs in EU
The total pig population in the European Union was about 2020% larger in December 2 than in December 2019. The number of sows on European pig farms was smaller than a year earlier. In Germany and the Netherlands in particular, there was a sharp decline in the number of sows. This is evident from the final figures of the statistical office of the European Union (Eurostat).
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The differences between the countries, but also between the different animal categories, are large. The figures may also give a somewhat distorted picture of the actual development. At the time of the count, there were many heavy animals hanging above the market as a result of the corona problems in (particularly German) slaughterhouses. The total number of fattening pigs counted in the European Union increased by between 2% and 3%, depending on the different weight categories. In contrast, the number of mated sows (-0,8%) and lactating sows (-0,5%) decreased.
Sharp decline in Germany and the Netherlands
Significant declines in sow herds in particular were recorded in Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, the number of sows covered fell by 5,5% compared to a year earlier. This decline may have been caused by the deteriorated conditions on the German pig market due to African swine fever (ASF).
The increasingly strict regulations in Germany regarding the environment and animal welfare probably also play a role. This creates a lot of uncertainty for German pig farmers, which means more companies decided to throw in the towel. A striking detail is the sharp increase in the number of heavy fattening pigs in Germany. The number of fattening pigs weighing 110 kg and heavier increased by 29,5% to a total of 1.668.000 heads. The cause of this increase is the corona problem in German slaughterhouses. This made it difficult for pig farmers to place their animals and they remained in the stables longer.
In the Netherlands, the consequences of the purchase scheme for pig farms are also becoming visible: the number of sows covered in our country fell by as much as 12%. In concrete terms, this means that there are 79.000 fewer mated sows on Dutch breeding farms.
Spain and Denmark
Spain, meanwhile, continues to expand its pig herd, although it appears that this is mainly because pig farmers are importing more piglets. The number of sows mated decreased by 2% in one year, while the number of newly laid fattening pigs (20kg-50kg) increased by 7,7%. In Denmark, the number of sows mated was virtually stable (+0,3%), but the number of fattening pigs weighing 50kg and heavier increased by 11,4%.
| Number December 2020 | Difference compared to December 2019 | |
| The Netherlands | 582.000 | -79.000 |
| Germany | 1.221.000 | -71.000 |
| Spain | 1.697.000 | -35.000 |
Fewer piglets
Because the number of bred sows has also shrunk in the export areas important to Dutch pig farmers, there will probably be fewer piglets available in the current year. This may mean that the piglet price will be supported by tighter supply for a longer period of time, as has been the case in recent weeks. The DCA BestPigletPrice set last Monday (March 22) the 16th consecutive increase.