First count: mega shrinkage of German sows

The results of the German animal count, which is held annually in November, will be announced shortly. The German state of Baden-Württemberg is already sharing the results of the census in its own province in the run-up to that announcement. There is a sharp decline in the number of pigs and the German pig farmers' union (ISN) sees that as a sign on the wall.

The province still counted a total of 1.646.000 pigs in November last year. That was about 2021% less in November 11. There were still 1.464.000 pigs counted. The state of Baden-Württemberg has about 6,5% of the total number of German pigs. In addition, the province has a share of about 8% in the total number of German sows. This makes it a reasonable share of the total German pork production.

In particular shrinking sows and piglets
The number of sows in the province decreased by 10,2% in a period of one year. The number decreased by almost 15.000 units to just under 121.000 units. The number of counted piglets shrank even more: by no less than 18,6%. The total number of fattening pigs counted (across the different weight categories) shrank by 4,3% from almost 624.000 to just 598.000 animals.

The ISN says that although contraction was expected, it is shocked by the magnitude of the decline in Baden-Württemberg. The union urges the new German government to take swift steps to provide pig farmers with economic prospects for the future. According to the ISN, elaborated concepts are ready for this, the proposals from the so-called Borchert committee. These proposals and advice, which have already been submitted to the old government, argue for a major adjustment of the way in which production animals are kept in Germany. German livestock farmers must be able to count on financial support from the government.

Steve Wissink

Stef Wissink is an editor at Boerenbusiness and writes about current market developments in the dairy and pig market. He also follows Dutch and international agribusiness.

s.wissink@boerenbusiness. Nl

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