According to UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board red meat analyst Bethan Wilkins, this figure is 1% lower compared with the same time last year, but similar to the previous quarter.

"Bear in mind that the number of pigs recorded at this time in 2020 was likely boosted somewhat by processing delays due to COVID-19 challenges," wrote Wilkins. "Related to this, the number of pigs being fed for slaughter in Denmark declined by 2% year-on-year, accounting for most of the fall in the overall pig population."

According to Danish statistics, there was a 2% decline in the breeding herd to 1.26 million head.

Although numbers of in-pig gilts were up, a 7% decline in maiden gilts suggests some further decline may be expected for the Danish pig breeding herd, said Wilkins in her analysis. Piglet numbers were also lower, decreasing by 1% to 2.69 million head. This suggests productivity has not increased and compensated for falling sow numbers, as can often be the case, she said.

Overall, the pig industry in the EU faces a challenging profitability situation at the moment. This may be another reason as to why pig herds in Denmark are shrinking. However, the small degree of change seen so far may not have much overall impact on pig availability, particularly if productivity improvements are seen, added Wilkins.