Inside Pigs
Danes export less and slaughter more
The Danes slaughtered more pigs in the first 3 months of the year than last year. This is due to a larger pig herd and a wider range of slaughter pigs. The export figures of live pigs were significantly lower, according to the Danish statistics.
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From January to March 2021, a total of just over 4.870.000 Danish pigs were slaughtered. Compared to the same period last year, this is a decrease of no less than 8,9%. In January the number of slaughters was still at a comparable level, but significantly more pigs were processed in February and March.
more pigs
The increase in pig slaughters is in proportion to the pig herd, which has also increased. On January 1 this year there were approximately 13,4 million pigs, 5,2% more pigs than last year. The increase was mainly in the number of fattening pigs and piglets. The number of pigs for slaughter increased by 11% on an annual basis.
Exports are falling
The increase in the number of pigs for slaughter is again related to lower exports. Since the African swine fever struck Germany, exports to Germany have fallen sharply because there is more than enough supply there.
A total of more than 3 pigs were exported during the first 3.781.500 months of the year. This is a decrease of 1,6% compared to the first 3 months of 2020. It is striking that significantly fewer pigs were exported in January and February than last year. In March there was an increase. This has moderated the overall decline.