According to the latest figures published by Denmark Statistics, the Danish pig population at the start of the third quarter had increased by 2 percent when compared to the third quarter of 2013. Pig production in Denmark for the quarter was recorded at 12.5 million pigs.
The Danish pig industry recorded the largest third quarter pig herd since 2011, indicating a recovery from the recent declines, according to a British Pig Executive (BPEX) report. This was also 2 percent higher compared with the previous quarter of 2014. The increase came on the back of a 1 percent rise in the female breeding herd, to just over 1 million head. In-pig sows and gilts increased by 2 percent but maiden gilt numbers came down marginally, suggesting any expansion in the near future will be modest.
The latest figures indicate a sizeable improvement in productivity, as piglet numbers were up by 4 percent when compared with the same quarter in 2013. However, a large proportion of piglets are still being exported to Germany and Poland. Denmark reportedly exported 10 percent more live pigs in the first half of this year than in the same period of 2013. This meant slaughter pig availability was reduced, with the number of pigs between 50 kilograms and slaughter weight down by 2 percent compared with 2013.
