Czech Republic’s pig meat production declined 8.9 percent in 2012

The Czech Republic’s pig meat production declined 8.9 percent to 239,753 tons in 2012. However, producer prices of pigs for slaughter grew 17 percent.
Producers sold pigs for slaughter in S, E and U quality classes for CZK 33.26 per kg of live weight or CZK 42.78 per kg of carcass weight on average (minimum CZK 39.83 per kg in February, maximum CZK 46.40 per kg in October). A deficit of external trade in live pigs from December 2011 to November 2012 was 9,035 tons. Imports and exports of live pigs were 29,883 tons, an increase of 30.7 percent and 20,848 tons a decline of 11.3 percent, respectively.
Young pigs up to 50 kg (mainly piglets with average weight 25.6 kg) as well as pigs above 50 kg (predominantly pigs for slaughter with average weight 106.2 kg) contributed to increased imports. Imports accounted for 522.8 thousand piglets and increase of 6.9 percent and 16,346 tons of pigs for slaughter an increase of 63 percent.
Exports of fattened pigs decreased by 11.2 percent to 19,423 tons, while exports of piglets grew three times (to 33.6 thousand heads). Piglets were imported from Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands; pigs for slaughter were exported to Hungary and Slovakia.

British pig producers finishing animals lighter to keep costs down

British pig producers have been finishing pigs at lighter weights in order to keep costs down following the dramatic rise in feed prices, according to Stephen Howarth, a senior analyst at the British Pig Executive.
“The true challenge for the industry in the long term is increasing productivity to mitigate feed prices,” said Howarth, speaking at the Livestock 2012 show in Birmingham in the UK.
Meanwhile, the industry has won the support of the country’s Home Secretary Theresa May. "While the government cannot set the prices that farmers receive, they welcome the (industry’s) 'Save Our Bacon campaign',” said May. “British pig farms can be rightfully proud of the high quality and high welfare pork and pork products they produce. Ministers welcome the chance to encourage people to support these standards and buy pig products endorsed with the (farm assurance) Red Tractor scheme."