UK pig production up in May for first time this year

UK production of pig meat increased year-on-year for the first time this year in May, although year-on-year production appeared to be down again this month.

Production reached 74,300 tonnes during May, up 1% compared with the same month in 2016, due to higher throughputs of clean pigs and sows. The increase occurred despite falling carcase weights.

But for the week ended June 17, slaughterings were estimated at 161,100, down by 4,200 compared on the previous week, and the lowest throughput since Easter. Compared to a year earlier they were down by 6,600 head, or 4%.

For more on this story, see Pig World