Another strong year for UK production: Pork Market Update

2025 has been another strong performing year for the UK pig industry. Defra data shows UK pig meat production grew by 2.3% year-on-year in 2025, totalling 975,200 tonnes. This is a slight improvement on our October forecast.

Despite a smaller female breeding herd, UK clean pig slaughter was up 1.4% in 2025, standing at 10.39 million head.

Breaking the total slaughter figure down into regions shows kill in England and Wales was up 1.0% at 8.20 million head, accounting for 79% of the UK total. Northern Irish kill was up 3.0% at 1.97 million head, 19% of UK numbers. Meanwhile, slaughter in Scotland, which makes up a smaller part of the national picture (2%), recorded a marginal decline of 0.5% to 221,000 head.

Sow and boar kill has continued to decline as the population of breeding pigs contracts.

Although slaughter numbers recorded annual growth, the key driver of pig meat production gains in 2025 was heavier carcase weights. For the full twelve months, clean pig carcase weights averaged 90.9 kg, up 1 kg from 2024.

In the first three months (Q1) and last three months (Q4) of the year, carcase weights were consistently above 91 kg, peaking at 92.4 kg in November. However, the prolonged period of hot weather from May–August caused average weights to drop below 90 kg in Q3.

As we enter 2026, carcase weights are yet to show signs of easing, with record high weights being recorded in the weekly SPP sample. This will be a key consideration in our next Agri-Market Outlook, due for publication in February.

Subscribe to receive pork market news straight to your inbox. Simply complete our online form.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.