Pork production in the UK increased by 8% in 2021.

Despite the decline in May, pork production is higher than last year.

In May, UK pork production was 82,800 tons, down 4,000 tons (5%) from the previous month, according to Defra. Despite this decline, production is still 12,000 tons (17%) higher compared to the same period last year.

In the first five months of 2021, pork production amounted to 431,300 tons, which is 8% (30,500 tons) higher than the same period in 2020.

Slaughter of pigs in May amounted to 915,500 heads, which is 39,400 heads (4%) lower compared to the previous month. Slaughter of pigs in the same period last year was higher by 118,600 heads.

In May, the carcass weight of fattening pigs decreased by 0.7 kg (1%) compared to the previous month and amounted to 87 kg. However, this figure is 1.1 kg higher than the same indicator last year.

In total, 20,200 sows and boars were slaughtered in May, which is 35% (5,200 heads) higher compared to the same month last year, 1% (200 heads) higher than the last month of this year. Carcass weights for sows and boars averaged 147.4 kg in May, the highest since January 2021.