Pig population on the increase

The pig population in Malta increased by 9.4%, or 4,242, in the period between December 2012 and December 2013, according to the National Statistics Office.

The pig population amounted to 49,451 at the end of last year.

A drop of 1.5% was registered in young pigs while increases of 12, 19 and 0.1% were registered in piglets, fattening and breeding stock respectively.

The census also revealed that 105 holdings were engaged in pig production with 60% of these raising less than 400 pigs. These accounted for 20.3% of the total stock, or 10,032 heads.

Holdings that raised at least 400 pigs accounted for 39,419 heads, or 79.7 per cent of the total population.

On a regional level, the pig population increased by 8.4 per cent in Malta and by 21.6 per cent in Gozo and Comino. Overall, 45,243 pigs, or 91.5 per cent, were located in Maltese farms, with the Western District accounting for 42.3 per cent. In Gozo and Comino, the pig population amounted to 4,208 heads, or 8.5 per cent of the total stock.