In 2023, the UK produced 927,400 tonnes of pork

Carcass weights were lower throughout 2023 compared to 2022, averaging 89.1 kg. However, the main reason for the decline in pork production is the sharp decline in the number of pigs slaughtered, rather than their weight.

Net pig slaughter in December was 781,800 head, representing a loss of over 177,000 head since December 2022, despite reports of attempts to slaughter the pig sector before Christmas. Unfavorable wet weather conditions caused flooding and wider disruption during the month and may have impacted throughput. For the full year, net pig slaughter in 2023 fell 10% year-on-year to 10.06 million head, the lowest annual net pig slaughter in a decade (in 2013, net pig slaughter in the UK was 10.05 million head).

Sow and boar slaughter also fell in 2023, by 15% compared to the same period last year, likely due to a reduction in the UK pig herd in 2022 and 2023.