This allows for adjustments to the 2015 data to take account of the change in reporting methodology adopted by Defra earlier this year.

This was the third consecutive month of falling throughputs. Average carcase weights were on a par with last year’s figures during the month, decreasing by a modest 0.2kg on September to 81.8kg. With UK pig prices remaining buoyant, the reduction in slaughterings backs up reports of tightening supplies on the market.

Sow slaughterings were also reportedly back by 11 per cent on the adjusted year earlier figure during October, at 18,900 head. The extent of this decrease my partially be self-adjustment, following from the small increase in slaughterings seen during September, relative to 2015.

However, with the market situation currently positive, it would be anticipated that producers will maintain their breeding herds at this time.

When combined, total UK pig meat production during October 2016 totalled 73.5 thousand tonnes. This represents a 5 per cent decrease on the adjusted 2015 figure. This represents the sharpest rate of year-on-year decline in output for any month since April 2009.