News Agricultural census CBS
Remediation of pig farming becomes visible in count
As expected, the number of pigs in the Netherlands has decreased considerably in the past year. On April 1, 2021, a total of just under 11,43 million pigs were kept on Dutch farms. That is more than 500.000 fewer than in April 2020, a decrease of more than 4%.
This is apparent from the latest figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) of the Agricultural Census 2021. In the course of 2020, the scheme for the remediation of pig farms came into effect. Entrepreneurs from concentration areas South and East received a subsidy under this scheme if they ended their pig farming. In return they received compensation for the pig rights and the residual value of the animal shelters to be demolished. In the course of 2020 a large number of companies were restructured.
Number of sows and piglets shrinks faster than finishers
In particular, the number of sows is considerably smaller than a year earlier. A total of 1 fewer animals (including breeding sows) were counted on 2021 April 67.000. That is a decrease of 6,5%. Following the decreased number of sows, the number of piglets was also considerably smaller. According to the figures from Statistics Netherlands, the number of piglets fell by more than 250.000 to a total of more than 5,1 million piglets. That is 4,8% less than in April 2020.
The number of fattening pigs decreased less quickly. The number of sow farms that participated in the remediation scheme was proportionally larger than the number of fattening pig farms. In addition, the number of fattening pigs in the heaviest category (>110 kilos) increased. The rising trend has been visible for years and is caused by an increase in the average sex weight in the Netherlands. As a result, fattening pigs remain on the farms up to higher weights. In total there were 1 million finishers on Dutch pig farms on 5,25 April. More than 3,5% less than a year earlier.
In 10 years' time, the number of pigs has shrunk by approximately 1 million pigs: from 12,4 million pigs in 2011 to 11,4 million in 2021. With the current malaise on the pig and piglet market, it is not yet obvious that these trend is now stopped.
Steve Wissink
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