Matthew Curtis, managing director of ACMC, believes that better times are coming for the pig industry. “There is evidence that the size of the breeding herd is falling in mainland Europe, which will reduce supplies of pigs and therefore firm-up pigmeat prices. In addition, feed prices are likely to stabilise or even reduce, so much-needed profitability could return,” he said.

The extra sows being slaughtered on the Continent are having a knock-on effect on the price for British cull sows, many of which are exported. But producers need to keep their herds young and productive to make the best use of the situation. He believes it will be false economy to hang on to older sows until cull sow prices improve.