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The number of pigs in the Netherlands dropped by 5.1% in 2025, reaching 9.96 million—falling below the 10 million mark for the first time since 1979, according to provisional figures from the Agricultural Census by Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
As of 1 April 2025, there were 1,900 pig farms in operation, representing a 7.1% decrease from the previous year. The decline was particularly notable among small farms (fewer than 500 pigs, -10.9%) and mid-sized farms (2,000–5,000 pigs, -10.4%). Overall, 94% of pigs are reared on livestock farms, with the rest on mixed crop-livestock frms or multi-species holdings.
Over the last decade, structural changes have reshaped the sector. Since 2015, the number of pig farms has nearly halved (-45.9%), and the number of small farms (≤500 pigs) has dropped by two-thirds. Meanwhile, large farms (≥5,000 pigs) have remained relatively stable, leading to a significant increase in average herd size—nearly 50% higher than in 2015, reaching 5,000 pigs per farm in 2025.
Several government schemes, such as the Subsidy scheme for the Remediation of Pig farms (SRV) and other buy-out programmes, have incentivised farmers to cease operations, contributing to the sharp decline in farm numbers and overall pig population.
July 21, 2025/ Statistics Netherlands/ Netherlands.
https://www.cbs.nl
