The ČR is no longer self-sufficient in pig production and if the fall continues prices in stores will increase markedly, says Agrarian Chamber President Jan Veleba.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, he said long-term downward trends in pig and pig breeder numbers has further deteriorated this year owing to a steep growth in prices of cereals, he said.

The Czech Republic is no longer self-sufficient in pig production and if the fall continues prices in stores will increase markedly, said Veleba.

One in ten pig breeders ends his activities a year.

Over the past seven years pig numbers have decreased by 870,000 to 2,816,000 pigs, Czech statisticians have said.

"Feed mixtures are the biggest cost item in pig breeding, cereals being a major part of them," said Veleba. Prices of cereals have doubled year-on-year.