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European figures hint at significant decline in pig stock
The precarious financial situation in the pig farming sector in Europe appears to be leading to a sharp decline in the number of pigs. The low selling prices for fattening pigs and piglets, in combination with high costs, lead to considerably lower production figures. This is apparent from the preliminary results of the year-end census in November/December of the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).
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Eurostat published figures for the first fourteen of the 27 countries in the European Union. The fourteen countries represent approximately 60% of the total European pig herd. The number of pigs in this group decreased by 5,78 million head to 84,06 million. That means a decline of 6,4%. With the exception of Spain's figures, all major pig countries are represented in the provisional figures.
Strongest decline in Germany and Poland
The strongest contraction is recorded in Germany and Poland. The German pig herd shrank by 2,45 million head to 23,62 million. A decrease of almost 10%. The number of pigs in Poland fell even faster. The number fell by 1,48 million to a total of 10,24 million. That means a decrease of no less than 12,7%.
Fewer pigs were also counted in countries such as Greece (-12,5%), France (-3,4%) and Denmark (-1,8%).
20% fewer sows in Poland
Looking more specifically at the development of the number of sows, the shrinkage in Poland is most striking. The country reduced its sow herd by as much as 20% to a total of 654.000. The number of sows is also declining in other major pig countries such as Germany, France and Denmark by 7,3%, 3,8% and 3,0% respectively.
Although the final figures from Spain, which hosts between 20% and 25% of European pigs, will still influence the total figures, it seems certain that European pig production will decline considerably in 2022.