In February, 762,000 hogs were slaughtered. It is the first time monthly numbers have fallen below 800,000 since May 2020, when the UK was still in its first Covid-19 lockdown, and the lowest monthly number recorded since May 2014.
Yields are down 11% from last month and down a significant 17% year-over-year, 13% below the 5-year average.
Pork output fell 11% monthly to 70,200 tonnes in February, 13% below the 5-year average. In a year-on-year comparison, pork production was 5 kg less in 2023 than in 2022 (88.9 kg), a 21% decrease in slaughter numbers.
Compared to January, pig and wild boar slaughter fell 11% in February, totaling 16,200.
This is the lowest monthly number recorded since October 2021 and 25% below the 5-year average in February. Although breeding was down in June (we are still waiting for the latest UK population figures for December), monthly sow and pig numbers averaged 19,300 (July 22 to January 23). A drop in slaughter in February may indicate some producers are starting to retain breeders to temporarily rebuild their herds.
