Schweine Cockpit, 12.10.2018

(AMI) - As with the livestock survey in the spring of 2017, the rising trend in pig herds continues throughout Europe this year. At the reporting date in early May and June 2018, 1.4% more pigs were held in Europe than in the previous year by the registered countries. Relatively high pig and piglet prices in 2017 boosted investment in and investment in pig farming. Particularly striking are Poland and Spain, with a large increase in herds of pigs. In both countries, domestic pig farming is being steadily expanded. Contrary to the European trend, pig herds are declining in France and especially in Romania. In the land of the Danube Delta, the extremely rampant African swine fever is the reason for high culling rates among domestic pigs. Further, the fear is; without being affected by it, also a reason to stop pig farming. Especially among micro-owners, the so-called backyard postures this is true. In Germany, more and more pet owners are rising from pig production due to increasingly demanding legal requirements and the currently difficult economic situation.Although the total stock increased, the number of sows kept decreased. The increase in total pig herds resulted from increases in piglets up to 20 kg, runners from 20 to 50 kg and pigs over 50 kg. Sows keepers reduced their herds by 0.9%, while covered sows even showed a minus of 2.0%.