AHDB Pork Country Reports
15 January 2013
BPEX / AHDB Country Report Belgium - January 2013
Belgium is a significant exporter of pig meat, shipping the fifth largest quantity among EU Member States
despite its relatively small size; it is only the eighth largest pig meat producer. It has traditionally been
one of the four biggest suppliers of UK pork imports, although volumes have fallen in recent years so it
has been only the sixth largest supplier so far in 2012. |
 |
Pig Numbers
According to the latest pig census, the Belgian pig herd increased by three per cent between June 2011 and June 2012 to reach 6.7 million head. This was largely the result of an increase in pigs being raised for slaughter, particularly those weighing over 50kg.
The increase in the herd was largely the result of improved sow productivity since the breeding herd was slightly smaller than a year earlier at 511,000 head. This marks the continuation of the recent trend of small declines in the breeding herd. However, with the number of maiden gilts lower than last year, the decline in the breeding herd appears likely to continue and, perhaps, accelerate.
Belgian Pig Numbers June
Production
Belgian pig slaughterings in the first nine months of 2012 were two per cent lower than the same period of 2011 at 8.6 million head. Increased throughputs in June and July, were offset by lower numbers in most other months, with a particularly sharp fall in September, when throughputs were down by 12 per cent. Slightly heavier carcase weights meant that pig meat production was one per cent lower than in January – September 2011.
Belgian Pig Slaughterings
Trade
During the first eight months of 2012, Belgian pork exports were five per cent higher than in the same period last year. Unlike other major EU exporters, Belgium still sends the vast majority of its shipments to other Member States; non-EU markets accounted for only seven per cent of total exports. By far the largest export market for Belgian pork was Germany, which took six per cent more than in 2011.
However, the main growth market was Poland, with shipments up by more than half as Polish production declined. There was similar growth in exports to the Czech Republic for similar reasons. Belgian pork was popular on these markets due to its relatively low price. Shipments to most other significant markets, including the UK, declined year on year.
Belgium’s geographical location means that it is relatively easy to move live pigs to and from neighbouring countries. In the first eight months of the year, the number of pigs involved was little changed from last year. Just under 600,000 pigs were exported, mainly slaughter pigs heading for the Netherlands or Germany. During the period, Belgium also imported around 240,000 slaughter pigs, mainly from France and the Netherlands, and just under 500,000 weaners,
mostly from the Netherlands.
January – August
Prices
The strong links between the Belgian pig market and its
neighbours Germany and the Netherlands mean that the
Belgian pig price tracks the prices in those two countries
very closely. Typically the Belgian pig reference price is
slightly higher than the Dutch one but lower than the
price in Germany. Prices remained firm throughout the
first half of 2012, recovering from a drop early in the
New Year to stabilise at around €155 per 100kg.
However, in common with the rest of the EU, prices
began to rise rapidly in early August and reached a peak
of €183.50 in late September, their highest level since
2001. Prices subsequently eased back but remained high
by historic standards.
Belgian weaner prices have also remained firm
throughout 2012, following a similar trend to prices in
the rest of the EU. The average price peaked at €50 per
head in April before falling seasonally until July. The
normal seasonal fall may have been accelerated
somewhat by the high level of feed prices. Having
reached a low point of €37.50, prices then began to
increase again in response to the finished pig market,
stabilising at around €44 per head from mid September.
Belgian Pig Reference Prices
Outlook
In the first nine months of this year, Belgian pig
slaughterings and pig meat production were down two
per cent from last year. With supplies expected to stay
somewhat tight for the remainder of the year, for 2012
as a whole both slaughterings and production are set
to be between one and two per cent lower than in
2011. Tighter supplies will make it difficult to maintain
the export growth recorded in the first half of the year
but, nevertheless, the amount of pig meat available for
consumption in Belgium will be lower than last year.
With the Belgian breeding herd holding up better than
in many other Member States, there may be only a
small decline in pig slaughterings next year. Increased
demand for Belgian pigs from Dutch and German
slaughterhouses will play a part in this, as well as any
reduction in the Belgian herd. However, the position
will depend on how well Belgium progresses towards
compliance with new welfare regulations on group
housing of sows. The Belgian government says the
country will be fully compliant with the rules but a
producer survey in the summer indicated that a large
proportion had yet to convert. This could mean that
some breeders will leave the industry, hitting
production in the second half of 2013.
With carcase weights unlikely to show a marked
change, pig meat production may also fall at a similar
to slaughterings. This implies that there will, once
again, be lower supplies for consumption, particularly
since there may be more export demand from other
markets where supplies are set to be short.
January 2013
DOWNLOAD REPORT:- Download this report here
© 2000 - 2020. Global Ag Media. All Rights Reserved.