Germany confirms a 9% decline in the pig herd

According to data from the European Commission, Germany’s finished pig slaughter during the first two months of 2022 fell by 9% (790,000 head) year-on-year to 7.9 million head. This meant that overall production fell by 11% to 755,000 tonnes. Declines in the breeding herd, and indeed the entire pig population have constrained production, This is forecast to continue for the rest of the year due to ASF, and because of poor profitability in the sector.