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Defra data shows UK pig meat production grew by 2.3% year-on-year in 2025, totalling 975,200 tonnes.
Despite a smaller female breeding herd, UK clean pig slaughter was up 1.4% in 2025, standing at 10.39 million head.
Breaking the total slaughter figure down into regions shows kill in England and Wales was up 1.0% at 8.20 million head, accounting for 79% of the UK total. Northern Irish kill was up 3.0% at 1.97 million head, 19% of UK numbers. Meanwhile, slaughter in Scotland, which makes up a smaller part of the national picture (2%), recorded a marginal decline of 0.5% to 221,000 head.
Sow and boar kill has continued to decline as the population of breeding pigs contracts.
Although slaughter numbers recorded annual growth, the key driver of pig meat production gains in 2025 was heavier carcase weights. For the full twelve months, clean pig carcase weights averaged 90.9 kg, up 1 kg from 2024.
In the first three months (Q1) and last three months (Q4) of the year, carcase weights were consistently above 91 kg, peaking at 92.4 kg in November. However, the prolonged period of hot weather from May–August caused average weights to drop below 90 kg in Q3.
As we enter 2026, carcase weights are yet to show signs of easing, with record high weights being recorded in the weekly SPP sample.
January 21, 2026/ AHDB/ United Kingdom.
https://ahdb.org.uk/
