UK/EU Pig Populations - December 2007

By Defra - This article is extracted from Chapter 5. of the quarterly pig bulletin published by Defra and provides a brief overview of the latest statistics relating to pig populations in the UK and Europe.

25 January 2008

2 minute read

This extract shows only the graphical data. To read all the available data, including all the tabular data, download the full report here (PDF).

5. UK Pig populations

The following graph illustrates the UK pig breeding herd between June 1981 and June 2007. It shows clearly the sharp fall since December 1997, the herd having reduced by over 40 per cent during this period.

EU pig populations

There is only one common period for pig population surveys across the EU – November/December. However, the main pig producing Member States must survey their pig populations at least twice each year, with no more than six months between survey dates. The latest results are shown in the previous table. The Eurostat definition of breeding sows includes sows and gilts in pig, other sows for breeding and intended gilts.

The following chart shows the proportion of total pigs in each Member State as at November/December 2006, the latest date for which figures for all EU 27 states are available.