TimesofMalta.com reports that in December 2010, the pig population amounted to 70,583 heads, representing an increase of 7.1 per cent, or 4,665 pigs over 2009. The stock of piglets and fattening pigs rose by 13.9 and 15.5 per cent respectively, while stocks of young pigs decreased by 4.9 per cent.

Breeding stock, which consists mainly of breeding sows, registered a drop of 5.2 per cent when compared to the previous year.

The NSO said the census revealed that 131 holdings were engaged in pig production. Of these, 60.3 per cent had less than 400 pigs apiece, and accounted for 19.7 per cent of total stock, or 13,878 heads.

On the other hand, 39.7 per cent of all holdings each had more than 400 heads, amounting to 56,705 pigs, or 80.3 per cent of the total pig population.

On a regional level, the pig population increased by 5.2 per cent in Malta and by 34.9 per cent in Gozo and Comino. Overall, 65,098 pigs, or 92.2 per cent were located in Maltese farms, with the Western District accounting for 38.6 per cent. In Gozo and Comino, the pig population amounted to 5,485 heads, or 7.8 per cent of the total stock.