“`html
UK Clean Pig Slaughterings Show Significant Increase in January 2024
In January 2024, the United Kingdom experienced a notable increase in clean pig slaughterings, with figures reaching 868,000 head. This marks a 4.5% rise compared to January 2023. Additionally, pigmeat production for the month totaled 82,000 tonnes, reflecting a 4.6% year-on-year increase, as reported by the latest statistics from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
Defra’s data suggests that clean pig slaughterings for the entire year of 2024 are expected to be 10.3 million head, which represents a 2.8% increase over 2023. The December 2023 figures also showed a significant rise, with slaughterings recorded at 10% higher than the previous year.
The upward trend in slaughter numbers continued into January. When comparing the January figures, the slaughter total of 868,000 head was higher than the 830,000 head recorded in January 2025 and the 852,000 head from December 2023.
The average weekly number of clean pigs slaughtered in January was approximately 196,000 head. This figure indicates a 4.8% increase compared to January 2024 and a 2.1% rise compared to December 2023.
Delving deeper into the January statistics, the slaughter figures reveal that England and Wales accounted for 711,000 clean pigs, while Scotland contributed 24,000 and Northern Ireland added 133,000 to the total. These regional breakdowns highlight the distribution of pig slaughtering across the UK.
In terms of carcass weights, the average weight in January was recorded at 91 kg, an increase from 88.5 kg in December. This slight elevation in carcass weight, compared to January 2024, can be indicative of market trends and the overall health of the pig population.
It is worth noting that the number of sows and boars slaughtered in January was recorded at 18,000, representing an 11% decrease from the 21,000 figure noted in January 2024. This decline may reflect changes in breeding practices or market demand for sows and boars.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has provided estimates for Great Britain’s slaughterings in the early weeks of this year, which significantly surpass the levels from the previous year. For instance, the estimate for the week ending February 8 was 182,100 head, which is 22,000 more than the figures from 2024 and 27,000 higher compared to 2023.
It is important to note that while these estimates provide valuable insights into the trends within the pig industry, they are often subject to substantial revisions once Defra publishes its monthly UK figures. Thus, stakeholders in the agricultural sector should remain attentive to updated reports for the most accurate data.
“`
Related Analysis: View Previous Industry Report
