Figures from the German statistics service Destatis show that the number of pigs in Germany has increased slightly. The number of cows, on the other hand, shows a quite significant decline.
The November count amounts to 3,71 million dairy cows. This is a decrease of 2,5% compared to the same period last year. A decline is visible in all states. Due to record high milk prices, the decline of 2022% in 0,6 was relatively limited.
In the meantime, milk prices have dropped considerably and the long-term downward trend has resumed or even been strengthened. Never before in recent history has the decline been so great. The number of farms with dairy cows even shrank by 4,4% and is still just above 50.000. On average, a German dairy farm has 73,4 dairy cows.
Pig herd is growing
For the first time since the November 2020 census, the German pig herd has increased in size. In November 2023, Germany had 1,3% more pigs than during the May count. An increase of 266.000 pigs compared to the previous count. Compared to the November 2022 census, there is still a slight minus of 0,7%, or 150.600 animals.
The high piglet price in 2023 appears to be the main cause of the increase. The piglet herd in particular increased. In total, the number of piglets increased by 3,7% or 365.000 piglets. Meanwhile, the number of fattening pigs fell by 1,1% or 103.800 pigs.
Number of pig farms is stagnating
It is particularly striking that the number of pig farmers remains approximately the same compared to the May count. Germany has a total of 16.200 pig farms. This is a clear trend break, as the number of pig farms decreased by 42,1% over the last ten years. During this period, 11.800 pig farms decided to stop. Compared to a year ago, the number of farms decreased by 4,5%, a decrease of 800 pig farms. Over the period of one year, the trend of fewer pig farms keeping more pigs continues.
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