The International Meat Market Review predicts stronger demand for pig meat from Asia during the second half of 2010, particularly from China and Hong Kong and the lifting of H1N1 trade bans in China will help this further.

From an EU perspective, higher import requirements from Russia will benefit production and that, in turn, may lead to knock-on benefits for the UK.

These are just some of the highlights in the latest IMMR produced by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Red Meat Market Intelligence.

Stable consumer demand in the current economic climate, improved export opportunities as the Euro weakens and lower feed costs have improved profitability and confidence in the EU pig sector.

As a result production is also forecast to increase in Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and the UK in 2010, while production in other major pig producing states is forecast to remain stable.

Senior Analyst James Park said, "Overall production of pig meat within the EU fell by two per cent in 2009 compared with 2008.

"Major restructuring of the pig herd, particularly in new member states with a move away from small scale farming, was the primary reason for this decline.

"However, it is forecast that this decline may have bottomed out and the introduction of more efficient farming practices, in particular in Poland, will lead to an increase in production or a reduced decline in new member states in 2010."

The June 2010 issue of International Meat Market Review is now available by contacting Dorian Harris (024 7647 8850) for further information.

Prices for an annual subscription are £84 for EBLEX/BPEX levy payers, £93 for UK based non-levy payers and £125 for overseas customers.

Also just published is the EBLEX/BPEX Pocketful of Meat Facts 2010, a handy guide containing a host of information relating to the red meat production sector in the UK and EU. This is £12 for UK customers and £15 for overseas customers.

Pig Year Book 2010 is also out providing key industry statistics and technical performance data on the pig sector at £18 to BPEX levy payers, £22 for UK based non-levy payers and £28 for overseas customers.