England abattoir numbers – pigs

Updated 2 September 2026

This data shows the number and size of English red meat and pig abattoirs operating each year.

Latest update

Table 1. Red meat abattoirs in England

Red meat abattoirs2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
All red meat abattoirs 188 184 179 165 159 151 151 147 143 137

Source: AHDB data based on abattoirs operating in the calendar year.

Table 2. Pig abattoirs in England

Pig abattoirs2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Total pig abattoirs 118 112 115 103 94 87 86 84 81 80
Pig slaughterings (000 head) 9,008 8,705 9,020 8,920 9,009 9,291 9,221 8,199 8,374 8,442
Average throughput (000 head) 76.3 77.7 78.4 86.6 95.8 106.8 107.2 97.6 103.4 105.5
Specialist pig abattoirs* 14 15 14 14 12 11 10 10 8 8

Source: AHDB data based on abattoirs operating in the calendar year.

Table 3. Size profile of specialist pig abattoirs in England, 2025

Size band (head)Number of abattoirsTotal throughput (head)Average throughput (head)Share of throughput (%)
1-750,000 3 481,405 160,468 7
>750,000 5 6,351,227 1,270,245 93
Total 8 6,832,632 854,079 100

Source: AHDB data based on abattoirs operating in the calendar year.

  

Figure 1. Pig abattoir numbers in England

Source:  AHDB data based on abattoirs operating in the calendar year.

Figure 1 and the data behind it can be found in the Excel download below.

  

  

Figure 2. Average annual pig throughput (head) per abattoir in England

Source:  AHDB data based on abattoirs operating in the calendar year.

Figure 2 and the data behind it can be found in the Excel download below.

Additional information

*Abattoirs included in total pig abattoir numbers.

Specialist abattoirs are abattoirs where 95% of slaughterings are pigs.

Contact us

This dataset was produced by our Data and Analysis Team. To find out more about the team, please visit the Data and Analysis team page.

If you need any further help, please email Martin, Gavin, Esther or Dorian at econ@ahdb.org.uk 

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