Domestic pig breeding began 2022 with another record-low number of pigs in the country – 5.54 million heads. According to State Statistics Service, it is by 5.8%, or more than 300 thousand heads less than a year ago, “ProAgro Group” reports referring to the Association of Pig Breeders of Ukraine.
The ground for such an anti-record was formed by a historical minimum of domestic pig population, which fell to two million pigs. It is by 11% less than it was fixed at the beginning of 2021.
Active demand for pork on the eve of winter holidays and, accordingly, higher selling prices than a year ago encouraged homestead pork producers to increase sales of pigs for slaughter at the end of the year.
The commercial herd also lost 2.5% from last year’s starting number and dropped to 3.5 million head. At the same time, the share of industrial stock in the country’s total hog population rose to 64% from 61.7% in January 2021.
