GB pig feed production higher again

According to our latest figures, GB pig feed production for July-January 2020/21 was 5% higher than in the same period a year ago, at 1.2 million tonnes.

For Q4 2020, production stood at 545,000 tonnes, up 6% from Q3 2020 and 7% from Q4 2019.

Production of pig feed in January 2021 was down 5% year-on-year. However, January 2021 is a 4-week period, compared to a 5-week period in January 2020.

During July-January, production of feed for breeding pigs rose by 0.5% on the year to 264,400 tonnes. Feed production was also higher for pigs in all stages of production (starters and creep; link/early growing; growing and finishing).

The increase in GB pig feed production during July-January supports our expectation that there has been some expansion in pig numbers available. The current difficulties with processing capacity caused by COVID-19 will be another likely driver of feed production growth, as pigs are having to be kept on-farm for longer.

Rising feed costs and falling pig prices have continued to pressure producer margins in Q4 2020. Looking at raw material usage for total GB compound animal feed production, barley usage from July-January rose by 38% year-on-year to 991,800 tonnes, reflecting the price competitiveness of barley to wheat. Usage of oats and maize also rose. The volume of wheat fell by 15% over the same period to 2.4 million tonnes.

Usage of oilseed cake/meals during the period fell compared to a year ago. The exception was soya cake/meal (+1%).

Total GB animal feed production (including feed for cattle, sheep and integrated poultry units), was down 1% on July-January 2020, at 8.1 million tonnes.

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.