Danish Breeding Herd Moves Up (August 2009)

By Chris Harris, Senior Editor, ThePigSite. Our snapshot of the ongoing global pig industry trends as reported in August 2009 Whole Hog Brief. To read the full detailed analysis including all the commentary and graphical data, subscribe to the publication.
calendar icon 11 August 2009
clock icon 4 minute read

The July census figures from Danish Statistics show that the Danish breeding herd numbers have risen sharply.

The Whole Hog shows that the total number of pigs in Denmark was 12.436 million, up by 0.7 per cent year on year and up by 3.8 per cent on April.

The Whole Hog says that specifically, the number of sows to farrow rose by 7.4 per cent over the year.

In May Danish live pig exports were up by 44 per cent on last year at 690,685. This was also 8.5 per cent higher than the March figures.

Weaner exports rose by 44.8 per cent and pigs for slaughter rose by 49.7 per cent.

The Whole Hog says that the main market for the live exports has been Germany.

German Top Ten Slaughterhouses

The top 10 slaughterhouses in Germany accounted for 70 per cent of the country's slaughter figures according to figures from the German pig farmers organisation.

Leading the pack was Toennies Fleisch, with a 21.9 per cent market share followed by the Vion Food Group, which includes NFZ, Moksel and Suedfleisch, with 18.2 per cent market share and then Westfleisch with 11.2 per cent share.

Across the EU pig producer prices have shown a continued decline, according to the Whole Hog.

The average price was €156.07/100kg - eight per cent down on July last year.

Spain and Germany are well above the average price, but the Whole Hog shows Denmark with the lowest prices at €134.9/100kg - 3.8 per cent down on last year.

Global Export Prices Keep on Falling

The Whole Hog says that the pig price cycle is showing less volatility but is showing a definite downward trend.

The Whole Hog index looks as though the long run price will settle at around 115.

The Whole Hog says that the financial crisis has probably accelerated the onset of the downturn.

Canadian exports fell back by 2.9 per cent in volume between January and May, with both China and Hong Kong cutting their imports.

The Whole Hog shows that Mexico also cut its uptake of Canadian pork, although both Australia and Japan increased their share.

In the USH1N1 virus has hit exports, which have shown a 3.8 per cent drop in May compared to the same period last year.

Exports in May to Mexico and Japan increased but there was a drop in product going to Russia and China.

Australian pig meat exports have fallen dramatically again despite a 78 per cent rise in exports to the Philippines.

Overall Australian exports fell by 18.5 per cent year on year, while imports rose by nearly 23 per cent.

Japanese exports also fell - by 4.9 per cent and imports were down year on year by 14.4 per cent.

The Whole Hog also shows that imports into South Korea also fell sharply by 17.8 per cent over the year.

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