Flood of pigs in Danish slaughterhouses

At the October 1, 2025, census, Denmark had 934.000 sows. This is a minimal difference compared to the 933.000 sows counted in October 2024. Compared to two years ago, there are 13.000 more sows on Danish farms. The number of piglets per sow increased by 68.000 to 2,49 million, an increase of 2,8%, indicating that productivity in the Danish sow farming sector appears to be continuing to rise.

More piglets and meat pigs counted
The number of piglets and finishers in Danish pig farms has risen sharply year-on-year. Last year, 5,40 million weaned piglets were counted on October 1st; this year, there were 5,69 million. An increase of 0,29 million, or 5,4%. The number of finishers rose even faster: from 2,28 million in October 2024 to 2,54 million today. An increase of 11,4%.

Carnages are skyrocketing
Meanwhile, the supply of pigs for slaughter in Denmark also appears to be increasing very rapidly. Over the first few months of the year, the number of pigs slaughtered was still slightly lower on average compared to 2024. In recent months, the supply of pigs for slaughter in Denmark, compared to last year, appears to have been very ample.
According to slaughter figures published by the Danish Pig Farmers' Union, 3,79 million pigs were processed in the third quarter of this year. Last year, the figure was 3,40 million in the same period. This represents a staggering increase of 390.000 pigs, or 11,5%. The number of slaughters in recent weeks is particularly impressive. Danish slaughterhouses slaughtered 1,36 million pigs in September, compared to 1,10 million last year. This represents an increase of 260.000 pigs (+23,6%).

Export of piglets has declined
Part of the increased domestic supply can be explained by the declining number of piglets shipped for export. In the period up to and including September, 12,36 million animals were sold abroad, primarily to Germany and Poland. Last year, this figure was 12,54 million during the same period. This represents a decrease of approximately 180.000 animals, or about 1,4%. Fewer piglets were shipped for export, particularly in August and September.

Given the above development, it can be concluded that Danish Crown's policy of processing more pigs domestically is quickly paying off. This spring, the company announced a substantial package of measures to make it more attractive for pig farmers to prepare piglets for slaughter domestically instead of exporting them, thus increasing capacity utilization in its own factories.